Online Dares

What online dares is, who it affects, and what a child should learn — a free entry from the Digital Guardians Threat Dictionary.

Target age range: Older elementary through teenage years (approximately 10–17 years old). Online dares and viral “challenges” mostly attract pre-teens and teens, who often have access to social media or video-sharing platforms. Middle schoolers are especially vulnerable as they start to seek social media popularity, though even younger kids might hear about or attempt certain challenges via YouTube. It’s important to start awareness by late elementary school, and remain vigilant through high school, as the types of dares evolve with age (from silly food challenges to more dangerous stunts).

Learning objective: Equip children with the ability to critically evaluate viral challenges and dares they encounter online. They should learn why certain online challenges are dangerous, how to resist the social pull to participate, and what steps to take instead (e.g. seeking information or adult guidance). The goal is for them to prioritize safety and well-being over internet “fame,” and for parents to learn how to guide and protect their kids from these trends.

Threat definition

Online dares (viral challenges) are tasks or stunts circulated on the internet, often via social media or video platforms, that encourage people (usually youth) to perform them and share the proof. Some challenges are harmless or even positive (like charity fundraisers), but many are dangerous and can lead to serious injury or worse. Examples include: the “Tide Pod Challenge,” where teens filmed themselves biting into laundry detergent pods; the “Blackout Challenge,” which involves choking oneself until passing out; the “Benadryl Challenge,” where participants take excessive allergy medication to hallucinate; or the “NyQuil Chicken” cooking challenge. These dares can cause poisoning, unconsciousness, physical injury, or even be fatal.

Why the Teen Brain Is Vulnerable

Teens’ brains are still developing impulse control — the part that weighs consequences (the prefrontal cortex ) isn’t fully mature until the mid-20s.

Dangerous Dares Already Circulating

• Tide Pod Challenge Teens filmed themselves biting into laundry detergent pods.
• Blackout Challenge Choking oneself until passing out.
• Benadryl Challenge Participants take excessive allergy medication to hallucinate.
• NyQuil Chicken A cooking challenge. These dares can cause poisoning, unconsciousness, physical injury, or even be fatal.

Why do they appeal to kids? Developmental and social factors play a role. Meanwhile, social media provides instant rewards for extreme behavior (likes, views, “internet fame”). The more outrageous the stunt, the bigger the bragging rights in the online world. This combination – impulsivity, fear of missing out, and the allure of viral attention – can draw otherwise sensible kids into doing reckless acts without fully realizing the ramifications. They focus on “A popular kid did this and got hundreds of likes” rather than the fact that, for instance, laundry detergent is toxic and can burn their insides. In short, online dares exploit a young person’s desire for social acceptance and excitement, while downplaying risk.

The full chapter is in Pillar 2: Social Pressure, Lures & Exploitation Prevention and the Complete Edition.