TikTok Trends: Entertainment or Danger?

With a simple interface and easy-to-use short video recording feature, the TikTok platform creates opportunities for anyone to become a content creator and spread their message. A series of new trends have emerged and quickly created a widespread effect on the internet.

One of the most popular trends is dance challenges like the “Shake It Off Challenge,” which allows participants to express their individuality through dance moves to upbeat music. With simple movements, catchy rhythms, and the potential to go viral, such challenges are considered healthy, entertaining, and encourage light exercise.

At the same time, TikTok Vietnam is also witnessing an explosion of culinary trends. Chocolate-covered strawberries, spicy Buldak noodles or iced matcha... are becoming the focus of a series of videos of food testing, preparation or flavor reactions. Many users are also creating unique recipes, aiming to create content that is both entertaining and stimulating curiosity.

In addition to visual and taste trends, TikTok Vietnam has also recorded the spread of “viral” sayings since the beginning of the year. A typical example is “What have you eaten, beautiful lady?”, a humorous greeting. This saying quickly became a phenomenon, appearing frequently in comments, captions (captions for photos from posts on social networks or websites) and even in everyday communication of young people.

Young children are easily drawn into TikTok content, potentially exposing them to inappropriate information.

However, not all trends bring harmless laughter. Some challenges are being warned to be extremely dangerous, especially for young users. Among them, the trend of "pen catching", the act of pressing hard on both sides of the neck to create a feeling of euphoria, has spread on TikTok in Vietnam. According to warnings from medical experts, this action directly affects the carotid artery, can cause cerebral ischemia, and even stroke if performed repeatedly. Many medical organizations have warned that this is an alarming behavior in the student community.

In addition, there is the “blackout challenge”, a challenge that causes participants to suffocate themselves until they lose consciousness. Although it appeared in the US many years ago and caused dozens of deaths, this challenge is starting to be recreated by some users in Vietnam. Indirect instructions or suggestions have been removed by TikTok, but it still cannot stop the spread when users “circumvent the rules” by using effects, emojis (emoticons used widely on social networks) or changing the language.

The question is: Why do dangerous challenges exist? According to experts, the reason comes from curiosity, the desire to assert oneself and the habit of imitating on the internet. With just a phone and a few minutes of filming, a “shocking” video can help users get thousands of interactions, something that many young people desire. But the price to pay can be health, even life.

The solution lies in multi-stakeholder coordination. TikTok, as a platform, needs to strengthen control, early identification of harmful content and timely response. However, we cannot rely on technology alone. Parents and teachers must be guides and orientators, and users themselves, including students, must control their behavior on social networks. Families need to care for and talk to their children more, schools need to supplement digital skills education; and users need to be alert when approaching new trends.

In a digital world with fierce competition for attention, mastering emotions and awareness is the key to staying safe online. Be a smart user: Have fun but don't sacrifice your safety and dignity for a few thousand virtual likes.

DIEP KHOA

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/trao-luu-tren-tiktok-giai-tri-hay-hiem-hoa-a419011.html