Helping Teens Navigate
Online Trends

Social media plays a major role in how teens connect, learn, and express themselves. Platforms like TikTok make trends spread quickly—sometimes faster than adults can keep up with. While many online challenges are harmless or creative, some can encourage risky behavior that puts teens in unsafe situations. Understanding how and why dangerous social media challenges spread is an important first step in helping teens make safer choices online.

Social media is constantly evolving, which can make it difficult for parents and teens to navigate. In the ever-changing landscape that is social media, it’s important to recognize what makes it so engaging for younger people.

• Short-form video platforms are designed to grab attention quickly. This means teens are often exposed to a steady stream of trends, challenges, and behaviors in just a few minutes.
• Algorithms play a role in shaping what teens see. When you watch, like, or comment on a video, platforms learn to show you more content like it.
• Peer validation such as likes, comments, and shares can make participation feel rewarding, while opting out can feel isolating.

When these factors all come together, it can make certain dangerous social media challenges spread quickly among social media users. Over time, these trends can reinforce behaviors that don’t actually reflect what teens today are doing.

It’s normal for teens to feel curious about the social media trends they see. However, without open communication between children and their parents, this curiosity can lead to risky behaviors like vaping or drinking alcohol. At Talk It Out NC, we advocate for parents to talk to their kids about underage drinking. Starting the conversation about inappropriate behaviors early can help teens make safer choices in the long run.   

And this strategy applies to more than just underage drinking. We encourage parents to use this idea when talking about social media challenges. Discuss with your kids what they’re seeing online, how it makes them feel, and what choices they might face. This will help them think critically before acting.  

You don’t have to have big, sit-down meetings with your kids to discuss what they’re seeing online. Sometimes little check-ins work best. Talking at the dinner table, in the car, or while watching TV are all great opportunities to understand what your child is seeing online.   

Not sure how to break the ice? Ask simple, open-ended questions with curiosity (not judgment). Consider trying the following: 

• What kind of trends or challenges are you seeing online? 
• Do you feel pressured to join in, or is it easy to just skip? 
• How do your peers respond if someone opts out of a challenge? 
• Have you seen a trend or challenge that made you uncomfortable? 
• What would you do if someone dared you to do something risky? 
• Who would you talk to if a post online didn’t feel right to you? 
• What helps you decide if a challenge is worth participating in?

It’s important that when you ask these types of questions, you take the time to really listen to what your child tells you. When you listen as much as you speak, your teen will feel more open to sharing what’s happening in their world.  

Parents don’t have to monitor every single post to ensure their child’s safety online. Instead, setting clear expectations, having open conversations, and using built-in tools can help support your teen as they navigate social media.

• Set clear guidelines. Talk about what kinds of content feel unsafe and inappropriate—and why. Framing your expectations as protective measures helps teens understand the purpose behind boundaries you set.
• Go private. Encourage your teen to keep all their social media accounts private. This way they can control who follows them and who sees their content.
• Stay connected online. Following your child on social media can help you stay informed about what they’re seeing and posting, which opens the door for conversation later.
• Use platform tools. Show your teen how to tap “Not Interested” on certain types of content. This helps train the algorithm to not show inappropriate or risky posts in their feed.
• Adjust settings. Your kids might not like it, but parents can enable parental controls to limit exposure to dangerous social media challenges—which is especially important for younger, more impressionable teens.

Remind your teen, it’s not about surveillance, it’s about support. You’re not watching their every move. Instead, you’re helping them make safer, healthier choices regarding the content they consume.

Talk It Out NC is here for families across North Carolina. Whether you have questions about underage drinking, dangerous social media challenges, or communicating with your teen, we have the resources to help.

Get in touch with us today.