Disclaimer: The goal of Conquer with Na’Kole is to provide education and support for moms (and concerned loved ones) as they conquer the giants that seek to conquer their children. I, Na’Kole Watson, am not a licensed mental health professional nor am I offering professional mental health services or advice. Therefore, I accept no liability or responsibility to anyone as a result of any reliance upon the information produced on this site or in any communication issued by Na’Kole Watson and Conquer with Na’Kole. The views expressed on this and any other affiliated website are my own, and all sources are linked. If you are in crisis, please contact The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. If this is an emergency, please dial 911 immediately.
Happy Sunday!
There is a lot happening in these social media streets, and I wanted to make sure you knew all about it! I’m going to break things down by app, so feel free to skip to the app(s) you’re most interested in!
TikTok
The Slap a Teacher Challenge
I remember hearing older folks say “kids these days” about me and my friends all the time. And here I am, today, at the tender age of 37, saying, “KIDS THESE DAYS!”
Sheesh.
From what I gather, there is going to be a new TikTok challenge every week. And though there was a time when we wouldn’t take things like this seriously, this is NOT that time. At all.
Kids are literally filming themselves walking up to teachers, slapping them, and running away. Schools are doing a lot to warn students about the disciplinary actions they will face should they decide to even attempt to participate in this challenge… and rightfully so.
One teacher has already come forward about being assaulted because of this challenge. She was hit in the back of the head! I’ll link the article below. My suggestion is that you talk to your child(ren) about this and any future TikTok challenges – it’s not so much the app as it is the pressure to conform to the norm. If it’s not TikTok, it’ll be something else – so make sure they really get the lesson!
Here are some articles about this challenge:
- Lancaster County Teacher Assaulted by Student for Viral Tiktok Dare, School Says – Durham Herald Sun
- ‘Slap a Teacher’ TikTok Challenge Set To Begin This Month—Here’s What Parents Should Know – Parents Magazine
Facebook/Instagram
Facebook was Grilled by Congress… and it was BRUTAL.
If you follow me on Instagram, you saw my reaction to the Senate Hearing in my stories. It was a lot.
The senators had a lot of questions for Facebook’s Global Head of Safety, and a lot of those questions simply were not sufficiently answered.
Congress is requesting to see proof that Facebook has parental consent to gather data on children. They also want to know what Facebook is doing to encourage more transparency about the research that is going on and what that research says.
It was A LOT, and it was heated. I suggest you watch it when you can, because it’s something you most definitely want to be in the know about.
Here’s the replay: Senate hearing: ‘Protecting Kids Online: Facebook, Instagram, and Mental Health Harms’
No News… Good News
All has been quiet in TwitterLand…
Snapchat
Eight Children Have Overdosed From Pills They Purchased on Snapchat
This is such a heartbreaking update.
Children are getting ahold of pills at an alarming rate. Snapchat is going to have to find a way to combat this, and until they do, I highly suggest that you talk to your child(ren) if they use Snapchat (or any social media for that matter) and stress to them the importance of NOT purchasing or taking pills. It only takes one to do irreversible damage.
There is so much to this, so I’m just going to quote the article directly:
“These are just a few cases over the last few years in a wave of deaths among teens and young adults who bought what they believed to be a prescription pill — like a Percocet, an OxyContin or a Xanax — that turned out to be a counterfeit pill containing a deadly dose of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid a hundred times more potent than morphine.
Many of those pills are being traded openly via social media, particularly on Snapchat, the most popular app among U.S. teens. Snapchat has been linked to the sale of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills that have caused the deaths of teens and young adults in at least 15 states, according to The Partnership for Safe Medicines, a nonprofit public health group. NBC News independently confirmed deaths in 14 of the 15 states and identified five additional states not included in the research.”
The parents talk about how the pills were delivered to their children. How they had easy and direct access to the pills and the people who sold them. Please, please, please talk to the children in your life.
Here’s the full article: When One Pill Kills: Eight Parents Mourn Children Poisoned by Deadly Pills Bought on Snapchat – NBC News
Roblox
Roblox Creators are Recreating “Squid Game”
I hadn’t heard of “Squid Game” until this weekend. It’s a popular Netflix thriller.
Here’s a description straight from Netflix:
“Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children’s games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits — with deadly high stakes.”
Roblox creators are remaking the challenges and games that happen in “Squid Game”, and people are hopping onto the trend. It’s just something to be aware of.
Here’s an article about it: Roblox creators are recreating Squid Game in Roblox – Destructoid
From ScaryMommy Blog: A Mom Invaded Her Kids’ Roblox Time… and She Has a Story to Tell!
I talk a whole lot about Roblox and its dangers (and rightfully so), but I’m always so happy to see stories like this one! I won’t ruin it for you.
You can check it out here: I Invaded My Kids’ Daily Roblox Time, And Here’s What Happened – Elizabeth Broadbent, ScaryMommy
Wrapping It Up
As we go into this new week, new month, new quarter, new season, new everything, please do all you can to stay updated on what’s happening in these digital streets! I have made a commitment to keep you informed – all you have to do is stay connected to the content!
It is my goal to always bring you a roundup of the things that I believe are most important to you as a parent. If I missed anything, or if you have any questions, please let me know!
If you would like to receive a PDF version of The Sunday Scoop in your email inbox every Sunday morning, you can sign up below!
If you would like to take my Cyber-Safe Experience course, it’s here: Cyber-Safe Experience Course (formerly Cyber-Safe Summer)
And finally, if you would like to contribute to my work, feel free to Buy Me A Coffee here: http://BuyMeACoffee.com/NaKole
Let’s Conquer Together!
Na’Kole
Na'Kole Watson