Have you ever participated in a social media challenge? Some of these stunts raise money for charity and spread awareness about social issues. Some are simply silly, while others are so dangerous that they have resulted in deaths. Many lawsuits have been filed against TikTok by parents of children who died after attempting dangerous challenges. And in 2024, TikTok was fined $10 million for failing to control the spread of this type of viral content. But some people say it’s unrealistic to expect TikTok to ban viral challenges. They also say challenges can be a way to create community and educate people. What do you think?
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Illustration by ANDREW RAE; Debate Photos Courtesy of Families
Should Social Media Challenges Be Banned?
Yes
I believe viral stunts should be banned, because even the ones that seem harmless can quickly turn dangerous. Teenagers are still developing the ability to assess risks, and social media often makes reckless behavior look fun. The fear of missing out pushes teens to take part in these trends. In my town, the One Chip Challenge became popular. In this challenge, people had to eat one extremely spicy chip and couldn’t eat or drink anything afterward. Some of my friends who did it ended up getting sick and needing medical attention. These stunts are hurting and even killing teens. Banning challenges would send a clear message: No amount of “likes” is worth risking your life for.
—Gavin Villepigue, 12th-grader from Connecticut
No
Banning social media challenges would be an overreaction. While some challenges are dangerous, others have real value. The Ice Bucket Challenge has raised more than $220 million for medical research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) since 2014. I participated in this challenge, in which you post a video of yourself dumping a bucket of cold water on your head. It was a fun way to connect to a broader societal issue. If challenges were banned, important causes like ALS could miss out. Plus, enforcing a ban would be next to impossible. Social media challenges can combine creativity with action, giving young people a sense of agency to improve our world.
—Miranda Yesser, 10th-grader from Oregon
What does your class think?
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