MOE warns parents about social media challenges; netizens call for stricter regulations

The Ministry of Education has advised parents to watch over their children who may attempt dangerous challenges on social media.

The March 3 advisory, issued through Parents Gateway, mentioned the Blackout Challenge - the subject of a video making its rounds recently.

In the video, a St Hilda's Secondary School student held another in a chokehold till the latter passed out.

The MOE advisory alerted parents to dangerous trends such as the Blackout Challenge and Skull Breaker Challenge, which encourage children to engage in risky behaviours.

"As they are dangerous and potentially fatal, we are bringing this matter to your attention so that you can watch out for your children should they seek to attempt such challenges, whether as a prank or otherwise."

MOE also shared tips with parents. They were:

• Stay informed about online trends.
• Discuss with your child about the risks of online challenges.
• Encourage your child to seek help from you or their teachers, should they be aware of their friends attempting such risky challenges.

"Such cases have always existed, but now with social media, will it get worse in the future?" a parent wondered as he shared his concerns with The New Paper.

He felt that social media platforms should be more responsible in addressing challenges and there must be regulatory measures in place to ensure the online safety of children.

Redditors called for more to be done in regulating social media, with some calling for restrictions on younger users.

One netizen pointed out that before social media existed, students were limited to the "dumbest/riskiest/bravest thing" other students in their class would do.

"Now with everyone on social media, that 'classroom' has grown exponentially."