Teens, trends and the new social media challenges

There’s nothing new about teens challenging each other to do silly or sometimes dangerous things. Gen X kids surfed on top of cars. Boomers played chicken, driving toward a head-on collision and waiting to see who would swerve out of the way first. Millennials planked on stair railings and posted photos on Tumblr.

Teens today are challenging each other too, but it’s not always making the obvious digital rounds. Viral challenges like the milk crate pyramid from a few years ago have evolved, and so has how those challenges spread. Today’s challenges often come from short videos, inside jokes or something that happens at school that goes viral in group and gaming chats.

What hasn’t changed is the pressure teens feel to join in. And that’s where this guide comes in: helping teens learn to pause, think through what’s happening and decide how they want to respond.

What is a social media challenge?

The classic social media challenge follows a recognizable formula: Someone does something funny, shocking or risky, shares it online and challenges others to do the same. Some challenges are driven by celebrities or influencers, and some may be part of sponsored marketing campaigns.

Today, many trends don’t start with a formal “challenge” at all. Instead, these videos show up in social media, such as in Discord and Snapchat group chats, private accounts, TikTok’s For You page and YouTube Shorts. One video gets attention, and then others imitate it.

New viral moments often start quietly, sometimes spreading widely before parents or schools even hear about them.

For example:

• The Chromebook Challenge
• Promposals
• Dance challenges livestreamed on TikTok Live
• Group-chat dares: “Do it and send the video”

Why do teens get pulled into social media trends?

Mostly, teens who participate in social media trends do so to get attention. Teens are biologically wired and motivated to participate in group challenges to connect and impress their friends. The excitement of racking up likes on social media is undeniable.

Brain development plays a role, too. The prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that is involved in decision-making, doesn’t fully develop until around age 25. That means teens are more likely than adults to act on their impulses. The urge to participate in risky behavior can often outweigh rational thought about the consequences, especially when “everyone else is doing it.”

How to talk to your teen about social media challenges

If you have concerns about your teen’s interest or participation in challenges, talk to them. An open conversation can also be a great way to get a glimpse of the types of challenges that are trending right now. Not sure where to start? The steps below can help; they’re based on some key steps developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics for approaching the topic.

1. Ask what trend is big at the moment. The latest trends usually make the rounds first in group and gaming chats.

“What’s the latest thing kids at school are filming right now?”

This keeps the conversation curious instead of confrontational.

2. Ask who is filming and sharing the latest trends. If they have seen a video recently, ask them where it came from.

“Who usually records those videos? Is someone posting them on social media, or are they just shared in group chats?”

This question can help teens think about the difference between a joke among friends and content meant to spread around.

3. Talk about who controls the video once it’s posted. Teens often assume they control where a video goes. In reality, once someone else records or reposts a video, that control is gone.

“Once a video leaves your phone, you don’t get to decide where it goes next. Someone else does.”

That shifts the focus from views to ownership and control.

4. Watch trends together. Ask them to show you one they’ve seen.

“What do people like about this one?”

Watching together can turn a potentially tense moment into a conversation about judgment and digital reputation.

Talk to your kids about social media challenges early and often.

If your teen is gravitating toward internet challenges as a way to feel more connected to their peers and community, here are some ideas for helping them maintain healthy connections, both online and in real life.

1. Encourage positive online challenges. TikTok Dance trends, collaborations and fundraising campaigns are a good way to get involved without putting anyone at risk.

2. Make it a family challenge, like a family step challenge. Use the social media challenge as a prompt to try new experiences together as a family. Invite family members to find one new challenge each month to do together. This can help you stay aware of the latest online challenges while using the most appropriate ones as a fun and creative way to connect with your teen.

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