Navigating Negative Online Influence and Trends

With the prevalence of digital platforms and social media among children and youths today, exposure to many popular yet potentially harmful and dangerous online content and trends is becoming increasingly common. Children and youths may also be exposed to age-inappropriate clips on social media platforms such as scenes from popular and trending shows like the violent Squid Game.   

Children and youth are especially susceptible to negative influence online as they may not understand what they are viewing and may be ill-equipped to discern between safe and harmful content. They may participate in dangerous online trends, such as swallowing laundry pods, which pose a serious risk to their health and may even lead to death [1]. This emphasises the importance of teaching children and youths to navigate and resist harmful trends and negative influence online. Parents play a crucial role by guiding their children's online interactions and usage, and by intervening when necessary.   

STRATEGIES TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE   
Here are some strategies that parents can adopt to keep their children safe from harmful trends and negative influence online.  

Set boundaries and rules: Encourage open communication and work with your children to establish clear guidelines and ground rules about online interactions and usage [2]. This allows your children to avoid harmful online content and interactions while still having the freedom to make their own decisions and explore appropriate online content.   

Set up age-restricted settings and parental controls: Applying age-restricted settings and parental control software on devices can help you to restrict and monitor your child’s online activity [2]. This prevents them from accessing content unsuitable for their age and allows you to intervene if you discover that they are exposed to harmful trends and negative influences.   

Have open communication about online content: Pay attention to the online content your child is viewing and encourage conversations about their online experiences [1]. Listen actively to what your child is sharing without judgement so that you can understand the content they are exposed to and guide them in avoiding harmful content. By teaching them how to discern between safe and harmful content, you can empower your child to make safer choices online [2].   

Tap on resources and tools: Utilise available resources and tools to help your child develop healthy online habits and navigate the digital world safely.  TOUCH Cyber Wellness offers practical and engaging parent-child resources through our First Device Campaign, designed to support families as children receive their first devices and begin their digital journey. The First Device Campaign resources and tools will empower parents to play an active role in their child's digital lives and nurture them to become safe, responsible and confident cyber users. Find out more here.     

DISCERNING BETWEEN SAFE AND HARMFUL CONTENT  

While some content and trends may look cool and harmless, they may cause severe injuries or even death to those who participate in it. Here are some ways of discerning between safe and harmful content that you can introduce to your children.  

Consider the consequences: Children and youths may participate in online trends, thinking that it’s ‘cool’ or a way to fit in, without fully grasping the potential consequences. Participating in dangerous online trends may cause harm to oneself and others [1], and as parents, it’s crucial that you guide your child through these situations by having open discussions and teaching them to critically evaluate online content. They should also consider whether doing these trends and behaviours might break any laws or cause any damage to property. By journeying with them and helping them to think through the potential consequences of their actions, they will be able to make better decisions about their online habits and choices.  

Consider your values: While some trends and online behaviour may not cause physical harm, they may be insensitive, offensive, or inappropriate. In deciding whether to participate in certain trends and behaviours or whether to view certain content, your child should consider whether it aligns with their values. Content or trends which go against their values are likely to be harmful as they may hurt someone’s feelings or treat someone unfairly. Children and youths should also consider whether they will regret participating in the trend or watching the content in the future. Content posted online is permanent, and one’s digital footprint may affect one’s future job opportunities if it is investigated and found to be inappropriate.   

By guiding your children to be more critical of online content and trends, your children will be better able to navigate the online space safety, develop healthy and positive online habits and become responsible and confident cyber users.  

TOUCH Cyber Wellness (TCW) is an award-winning and leading pioneer in the field of cyber wellness and new media literacy. It has spearheaded efforts to reach out to 360 schools and more than 1.6 million children, youths, parents, educators and counsellors. Through mentoring and advocacy, TCW has engaged Singapore youths to address social and behavioural issues of excessive cyber usage. It delivers a range of pre and post intervention programmes that instil the principles of good digital citizenship in the community.  

Sources “
1. Dangerous Social Media Challenges: Understanding Their Appeal to Kids” Healthy Children.org, 9 Nov 2023, https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Dangerous-Internet-Challenges.aspx 
2. “Strategies for Teaching Kids About Online Safety” Wellspring Center for Prevention, 21 May 2024, https://wellspringprevention.org/blog/strategies-teaching-kids-online-safety/