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.

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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.

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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

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14
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When Screens Turn Mean: Combat Online Bullying & Support Positive Student Behavior

(Online Workshop) Cyberbullying can destroy a child’s confidence long before parents even realize it's happening. Join our live parent event to learn how to spot the signs, protect your child, and build a safer digital future together.

Oct
15
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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.

Oct
28
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When Screens Turn Mean: Combat Online Bullying & Support Positive Student Behavior

(Online Workshop) Cyberbullying can destroy a child’s confidence long before parents even realize it's happening. Join our live parent event to learn how to spot the signs, protect your child, and build a safer digital future together.