Viral ‘Door Knock Challenge’ Is Upsetting and Even Dangerous
What? According to several news sources, social media influencers are kicking, knocking and banging on the doors of random residences (sometimes in the middle of the night), then running away while filming the reactions in the “Door Knock Challenge.” Essentially, it’s a more aggressive version of the old “Ding-dong ditch” game, only now with combined with a social media component.
So What? In some cases, homeowners are reporting damaged property as a result of kicking. But authorities are also urging participants to end this prank, since startled residents—especially in states with strong self-defense laws—could respond with force, endangering the homeowner and prankster alike.
Now What? At best, the “Door Knock Challenge” is irritating. At worst, it could be life-threatening. But even the middle ground—scaring the wits out of someone—could still be extremely distressing. So talk to your teens about this prank, informing them of the potential dangers, both to themselves and to the people they’re pranking. But you should also instruct them on what to do if they hear someone kicking a door. It might be a friend pranking them, but it could also be an intruder, and your teen should be equipped to handle either situation.
NarcTok Could Be Giving Teens False Perceptions of Narcissistic Parents
What? According to Parents, “NarcTok is a hybrid term that blends ‘narcissistic’ and ‘TikTok.” And the topic is trending due to teens and young adults “sharing personal experiences and opinions about narcissistic behavior, sometimes in a sensationalized or misinformed manner.”
So What? Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which is the focal point of these discussions, only affects about 5% of the general population. But thanks to the popularity of NarcTok, many teens have developed misconceptions about narcissism and are accusing their parents of these behaviors through online platforms.
Now What? If you discover your teen has posted a NarcTok video, experts urge that “discovery is not disaster.” Take a pause, they say, and address your own reactive feelings before talking to your child. Then, lead with empathy: “There is a reason that teens choose to vent on this platform, and it’s important to go into a dialogue without showing anger or judgement.” After that, listen to what your teen has to say, validating their emotions without offering immediate corrections. And when you do respond, be sure “to share accurate information about NPD and the importance of understanding mental health.” Any person’s occasional self-focused behavior does not equate to having NPD, and teens should be mindful of how their words affect both those they accuse (since it can be hurtful) and those who listen, since it spreads more misconceptions about the disorder.
New Apple Parental Controls Will Allow Parents to Set Kids’ Ages
What? According to Digital Trends, Apple has released a new white paper, detailing changes the company plans to make to the parental control system on its devices. These new features will make it easier for parents to set up child accounts and enable automatic age-restrictions for apps and ads. They also include more robust screentime controls.
So What? The age information will be kept private, but “once they are in place, apps will automatically default to showing age-appropriate content.” Additionally, Apple will be expanding its available age ranges so parents can select a range more suitable for their children.
Now What? These features haven’t been implemented just yet. But once they are introduced, it could be an opportunity to revisit and reset the parental controls on your kids’ Apple devices. Taking the time to set up these parental controls could help protect your child from harmful content or the negative consequences of excessive screentime use. And talk to your kids about the new boundaries that will be in place, explaining how these features are meant to protect them, not limit them.
