25+ Dangerous Social Media Challenges Parents and Teachers Need to Know

The SmartSocial.com team closely monitors social media to identify the most dangerous trends and challenges that students are seeing—and often recreating—online. Our library of over 25+ Dangerous Social Media Challenges highlights the risky, viral challenges teens are posting, many of which can damage their safety, well-being, and digital footprint. These guides are driven by real questions and concerns from parents and educators, and we regularly update them to reflect the latest online trends. District Leaders — can request a partnership on this page to unlock full access to our research and resources for your entire school community.

You're not logged in!
Log in or join to protect your family and enter for a chance to win cool prizes

Join our next live online workshop events to keep your family safe and be entered for a chance to win an Amazon Kindle, Bluetooth speaker or 3d printer each week!

The SmartSocial.com App Zones Help Parents
Identify Good and Bad Apps:

Together Zone

Green Zone Apps can positively impact your social media footprint (with parental guidance) and can help a student shine online.

Grey finger pointing right
Caution Zone

Gray Zone Apps typically feature a lot of private messaging, disappearing content and group chats that are hidden from parents.

Red thumb pointing down
Avoid Zone

Red Zone Apps allow students to talk with strangers, often encourage users to act anonymous, and they promote bullying, anxiety and depression.

Caution exclamation mark
Dangerous Challenges

Dangerous Social Media Challenges are viral social media challenges, that encourage teens to do dangerous acts for likes, views, attention, and subscribers

Dangerous Social Media Challenges
(Shared across multiple social media apps)

These are viral social media challenges that are popular with students on almost every social network.

Back to top

Viral challenges encourage teens to do dangerous things just for likes, views, attention, and subscribers. These challenges usually target students across several social networks and require them to perform dangerous activities. Students have to post proof of them partaking in the dangerous challenge on social media. Often, these challenges have serious repercussions and encourage students to behave in a way we have never seen before.

Together Zone

Green Zone Apps can positively impact your social media footprint (with parental guidance) and can help a student shine online.

Grey finger pointing right
Caution Zone

Gray Zone Apps typically feature a lot of private messaging, disappearing content and group chats that are hidden from parents.

Red thumb pointing down
Avoid Zone

Red Zone Apps allow students to talk with strangers, often encourage users to act anonymous, and they promote bullying, anxiety and depression.

Caution exclamation mark
Dangerous Challenges

Dangerous Social Media Challenges are viral social media challenges, that encourage teens to do dangerous acts for likes, views, attention, and subscribers

Join thousands of families each week (and enter for a chance to WIN one of 28 cool prizes) at one of our workshops that make safety a conversation, not a crisis

Bring your kids, too! These events are designed to help start real conversations at home, so your family is safer and stronger. Join honest, practical conversations about the apps, screen time struggles, and online situations keeping families up at night.

Nov
05
Register
Register for this event

Raising Kids in a Video Game World

(Online Workshop) Understand why kids love video games, the benefits they receive from playing, the hidden risks and dangers to be aware of, and practical strategies for safe and balanced video game play for your family.

Nov
09
Register
Register for this event

Help Your Teen Shine Online®: Resume Building, Online Reputation & Future Opportunities

(Online Workshop) Help your teen build a resume they're proud of and an online presence that reflects their strengths. Explore how AI can support resume writing and help teens shine online (Kids welcome!)

Nov
11
Register
Register for this event

The Impact of Screen Time on Motivation, Health & Academics

(Online workshop) Learn how screen time affects motivation, health and academics while gaining practical strategies to set limits and reconnect as a family.

Nov
17
Register
Register for this event

Avoiding Strangers & Dangerous Situations: Help Your Child Stay Safe Online

(Online Workshop) Learn the dangers of students talking with strangers online, how to recognize the red flags, and a practical approach to help your child stay safe and happy online.

Dec
03
Register
Register for this event

AI for Student Success: Being Productive & Learning Future Skills

(Online Workshop) Bring your kids and unlock the power of AI together! Discover cutting edge AI tools and skills that spark curiosity, boost learning (without cheating), and prepare your child for the future of AI.

Dec
15
Register
Register for this event

Roblox & Minecraft Safety Night: Understand the REAL Dangers & Guide Your Child with Confidence

(Online workshop) This session gives you a clear look at how Roblox and Minecraft work, the risks kids may face, and the settings that help keep them safe.