Pulling pranks on your kids has become immensely popular due to social media and viral hashtags like #CheeseSliceChallenge and #EggCrackChallenge. However, is it harmless or hurtful to engage in TikTok trends at the expense of your child? Let’s explore what’s happening online and hear what parenting experts have to say.
What kinds of pranks are parents pulling?
Here are some of the pranks that have gone viral on social media:
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#GrinchPrank: During a family photo session, a “monster” surprises the kids, leading to their scared reactions being captured in real time by the photographer. This prank becomes more popular during the holiday season when the Grinch makes an appearance.
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#GhostPrank: In this prank, a child is shut in the bathroom, sometimes in the dark, and they later notice a ghost filter floating around. This usually leads to the child screaming to be let out, creating a terrifying experience.
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#CheeseSliceChallenge: Parents throw a slice of cheese onto their infant’s face, resulting in confusion and tears.
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#EggCrackChallenge: Kids are asked to help in the kitchen, only to have an egg cracked on their foreheads. While some find it funny, most kids get upset, feel pain, or perceive the prankster as “mean.”
What has been the reaction to these viral pranks?
The comment sections on these pranks are divided. Some find them hilarious, share their favorite videos, or attempt the pranks with their own kids. However, pranks like the #EggCrackChallenge have also faced criticism, with viewers accusing parents of hurting their kids or subjecting them to emotional distress for social media likes.
What do experts say?
Dr. Niky, a pediatrician and mom who provides parenting tips on social media, warns about the potential repercussions of pranks on children.
According to Dr. Niky: “Pranks can cause significant emotional distress in children. Depending on the nature of the prank, it can induce genuine fear and anxiety, especially in younger kids who may not understand that it’s just a joke. Some pranks can also unintentionally cause physical harm.”
Before participating in a prank or social media trend with their kids, parents should consider factors like the child’s age and maturity level. Is it age-appropriate? Will it cause pain, physical harm, fear, humiliation, or emotional distress? If the answer is yes, parents should realize that the prank is harmful and not harmless.
However, there are safer and more respectful ways to approach these trends. Dr. Niky has used her own TikTok platform to share a different perspective on the #EggCrackChallenge. In her video, she involves her child by explaining the prank, offering him a chance to crack the egg on her forehead first, and discussing his decision not to participate. Her older daughter playfully but nervously accepts the offer to crack the egg on her mom’s forehead. The video demonstrates how a challenge can become a fun family activity and bonding experience when everyone is in on the joke. Otherwise, parents risk becoming their child’s first bully.
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Amy Marschall, a clinical psychologist, emphasizes the importance of consent in safe pranking between parents and children.
According to Marschall: “Parents should know their child well and determine whether the child finds these pranks amusing or not. Make sure they know that they can refuse, and honor their ‘no’ when you hear it.”
Both Marschall and Dr. Niky agree that excessive or harmful pranks can erode trust between a child and their parent. When a child constantly fears being hurt, shamed, or humiliated, it becomes difficult for them to see their parents as a source of comfort and safety.
What parents should remember about online pranks
Participating in viral pranks has another aspect to consider: the potential harm caused by sharing the footage. Even if a child willingly engages in a prank, it doesn’t mean they’re comfortable with it being posted on social media or that they grasp the consequences of having a vulnerable moment made public.
Marschall compares it to hidden-camera prank shows where the person’s face is blurred because they didn’t give consent. Children deserve the same respect and consideration, especially when the footage shows them visibly upset.
As Dr. Niky adds, the internet has a lasting impact. “Parents must remember that even if removed, online content can resurface and affect the child’s reputation during adolescence or adulthood. It exposes a child to potential bullying and harassment, which can have long-lasting emotional consequences.”
