13+ per terms
A short-video feed driven by a powerful recommendation algorithm that can amplify dangerous 'challenges' and mature content.
A recurring viral dare urges children to make themselves pass out — it has been linked to multiple children's deaths.
A viral dare pushes teens to take dangerous amounts of an over-the-counter antihistamine to hallucinate; overdoses can cause seizures, heart problems, and death.
An overview of the ever-evolving class of viral dares that algorithmic feeds surface — with dedicated advisories on the Blackout and Benadryl challenges and the heated squishy-toy trend.
A viral trend has children microwaving gel-filled squishy toys until they burst — the scalding gel sticks to skin, and children have needed skin grafts and intensive care.
Heavy social media use is associated with worse mental health for adolescents — especially girls — during a sensitive developmental window.
Apps are engineered to maximize time-on-screen using the same reward mechanics as slot machines — and a child's self-control system isn't fully built yet.
Early, heavy screen exposure is linked to effects on sleep, attention, and the displacement of the play and in-person time young brains need.
