Experts warn of risks from dangerous social media challenges for children

Experts are warning about the psychological and physical dangers children face due to social media challenges. Following a severe incident in Kotor, Montenegro, where a boy sustained life-threatening injuries to his head, neck, and liver while attempting a TikTok challenge, specialists emphasize that banning devices is not a sufficient solution.

Psychologist Adriana Pejaković notes that younger children often lack the cognitive ability to assess risks or predict the consequences of actions that appear harmless on screen. For adolescents, the drive for social acceptance and belonging often outweighs safety concerns. Experts from the Safer Internet Foundation suggest that prevention requires a combination of open dialogue, trust, and education rather than simple prohibition.

In Trogir, Croatia, the 'Kairos na mreži 2.0' project held educational sessions for educators and police to address cyber psychology and the impact of digital environments on emotional development. The initiative focuses on peer education, empowering young people to promote digital safety, privacy, and responsible technology use among their peers.