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Know! The Dangers of Digital Dares

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Thinking back to our younger years, most of us have witnessed or actively took part in some type of dare or challenge that involved unwise behavior. Similar types of double-dog-dares, referred to as “challenges,” still exist for our children today, however, the audience, the peer pressure and the danger element has increased beyond compare.

In the past, dares were likely to take place on school grounds, public parks or in someone’s basement - in front of a handful of peers, at best. Today, challenges are recorded on smart phones and uploaded onto the internet for a teen’s entire peer network, and then some, to see. Due to this wide viewing audience and fear of public ridicule, teens often succumb to the pressure to take on these challenges, even if they’d rather not.
 
While some internet challenges are silly and harmless, many more are dangerous and even deadly. Here are just a few that parents should be aware of:
 
Fire Challenge: An individual stands in the shower, douses himself in alcohol or other flammable liquid and lights himself on fire, trying to put out the flames before it burns his skin. As you can imagine, this challenge has resulted in severe burns and deaths.
 
Neknominate (neck + nominate): In this challenge, a person is to quickly drink extreme amounts of alcohol in outlandish ways and then nominate two “friends” to do the same. Multiple accounts of ER visits and alcohol poisoning deaths have been reported, due to this “game.”
 
Salt and Ice Challenge: Those taking this challenge pour salt onto their arm or other chosen body part, and apply ice for as long as they can stand it. The combination of salt and ice drop temperature levels to far below freezing, which can cause not only third-degree burns, but the need for amputation.
 
Kylie Jenner challenge: The idea here is to get the voluptuous lips like the TV reality star Kylie Jenner. The person puts a shot glass over her lips then sucks, causing them to swell. While this may not sound horribly dangerous, the results can be terrifying. Many people experience pain and bruising from the suction, and repeated attempts can cause scarring and permanent disfigurement. . What’s worse is that even very young girls are partaking in this challenge.
 
The list of digital dares go on and on. But what they all have in common, besides being senseless, is that they all involve a camera and an upload to the internet. Would you know if your children were taking part in such foolishness? Not necessarily. That is why it is vital to talk with them about the dangers of these online challenges.
 
Here are some points to keep in mind as you do:
  • Don’t assume your child won’t try it: Remember, a teen’s brain is not fully developed - impulsivity along with peer pressure and the competitive desire to one-up a peer, are all power influencers.
  • Set clear boundaries: Share your expectations and what you consider to be acceptable and unacceptable behavior. What your child thinks is okay, may not be okay with you.
  • State (and restate) the obvious: While lighting yourself on fire seems quite obviously NOT okay, make no assumptions when it comes to your child’s safety.
  • Prompt critical thinking: Ask your child, “What do you think could happen if you do this?” In the face of such a challenge, help your child learn to step back for a moment and apply basic logic and reason before making a decision that could impact his/her health and safety, as well as your trust.
It would be naive to think we will ever keep up with all the latest internet tends, dangerous or not. What we can do is talk to our children, set clear boundaries and teach them to think critically, before the next risky challenge presents itself.
 
Sources: McAffe Blog Central: Digital Dares: Dumb Kids with Smart Phones, Sept. 2014. New York Daily News: Viral ‘neknominate’ drinking game linked to five deaths, Feb. 2014. TWCN Tech News: Dangerous dares start making rounds on the Internet, Oct. 2014. uKnowKids.com: YouTube Challenges and Peer Pressure, Dec. 2014.
 

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Drug Free Action Alliance
6155 Huntley Road, Suite H
Columbus, Ohio 43229

https://www.drugfreeactionalliance.org/know

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 www.chathamdrugfree.org

 
 

Chatham County Campuses to be Tobacco Free in 2016

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Based on the recommendation of the Chatham County Board of Health and review by the Chatham County Board of County Commissioners, the County Manager’s Office reports that that county government grounds will be tobacco-free effective March 1, 2016.

The updated tobacco-free policy defines tobacco products as cigarettes, cigars, and all forms of smokeless tobacco. Smokeless tobacco covers dip and other smoking devices, including vapor products (electronic cigarettes).

Beginning March 1, 2016, the use of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, will be prohibited on or inside any property that is owned, leased, or maintained by the county. This includes any county vehicle, county buildings, and county property, including the Chatham County parks system.

“Building and sustaining a healthy environment is one of Chatham County government’s core responsibilities to its employees and residents. We are committed to the well-being of our staff, and will be providing cessation resources for those who are interested in quitting smoking, dip or electronic cigarettes,” said Chatham County Public Health Director Layton Long.

Long added, “We can all be positive role models for Chatham County youth. Having a tobacco-free policy sets the right example for our county’s youth by demonstrating healthy lifestyle behaviors.”

Chatham County’s tobacco-free grounds policy is about education and empowerment, Long said. The purpose of the policy is to protect people from the harmful effects of tobacco use and encourage tobacco users to quit while providing support and resources to help them do so.

“There is no risk-free level of exposure to tobacco, and expanding the tobacco-free policy to include all grounds benefits all Chatham employees and residents,” Long said. The policy promotes a healthy environment and reduces the harm associated with exposure to tobacco products.

To learn more about tobacco products and opportunities to quit, visit http://www.quitlinenc.com/.

 

Know is a program of

Drug Free Action Alliance
6155 Huntley Road, Suite H
Columbus, Ohio 43229

https://www.drugfreeactionalliance.org/know

For More Information
George Greger-Holt - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Susan Powell - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 www.chathamdrugfree.org

 

How to Survive Back-to-School

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Getting ready for the upcoming school year isn’t all about notebooks, brand-new clothes and lunchboxes. It’s also about laying the foundation for good communication with your child and preparing them for a new transition.

Questions about drugs and alcohol will inevitably come up during the school year. Need some help? Check out the items in our back-to-school survival guide, designed to help you talk, listen and improve your overall communication with your child:
  1. Prevent drug use at every age.
    From preschool to young adulthood, find out what to say.
  2. Learn about the drugs in your teen’s world.
    • Our Drug Guide will give you the facts to keep your teen safe (PDF).
    • Download our free mobile app for Android phones and iPhones for easy access to information on drugs most commonly abused by teens ‒ including photos, slang terms and short- and long-term effects.
  3. Listen to what these moms have to say.
    Partnership moms give their 10 best back-to-school tips.
  4. Set limits.
    While your teen’s judgment skills are developing, she needs you to keep her safe by setting clear limits backed up with firm consequences.
  5. Become a better listener.
    Learn how to listen. Take this quiz (PDF) about active listening, and learn how it can help improve parent/teen conversations.
  6. Starting a new school?
    Help your child make good choices during this critical time.
  7. Talk about marijuana.
    Find out how to have meaningful, productive conversations with your teen about marijuana.
  8. Help end medicine abuse.
    More teens are abusing prescription medicine than ever. Here’s what you can do to help.
  9. Encourage healthy competition.
    Help your student athlete embrace healthy, drug-free competition.
  10. Write a contract.
    Establish rules (in writing) about drugs and alcohol that you both agree to (PDF).

Still have questions? The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids is where families find answers. Visit our website, drugfree.org, year-round for more tips, tools and resources.

Know is a program of

Drug Free Action Alliance
6155 Huntley Road, Suite H
Columbus, Ohio 43229

https://www.drugfreeactionalliance.org/know

For More Information
George Greger-Holt - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Susan Powell - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 www.chathamdrugfree.org

 

Know! Parental Engagement Matters

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September 28th is Family Day, a national initiative reminding parents
of the key position they play in helping to keep children substance free. The name of the game – PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT.
 
Children whose parents are actively engaged in their lives are far less
likely to drink, smoke or use any other types of drugs. Current statistics however show that 46% of all high school students use addictive substances; nearly a third of high school students binge drink at least once a month; and more than 40% of ninth through twelfth graders say they can get a hold of marijuana within a day. Such numbers highlight the desperate need for increased parental engagement.
 
What exactly is “parental engagement?” It is moms, dads and other
caregivers making daily connections with their children, talking with
and listening to them, spending quality time together, making sure they know they are loved and building and keeping strong that parent/child relationship.
 
Decades of research reveals that one of the most effective strategies in connecting with your child, strengthening family bonds and preventing adolescent substance abuse is sitting down for a meal together as family on a regular basis. In fact, studies show that the more often children eat dinner with their families, the better their grades, the healthier their eating habits, the closer their relationship with their parents and siblings, the greater their ability to resist negative peer pressure, and the less likely they are to use alcohol, marijuana or other substances.
 
In addition to regular family meals, CASAColumbia, the creators of
Family Day, encourages putting into practice these seven parent/child connectors:
  1. Send a text to your child just to say “hi” or to tell them that you’re excited to spend time together.
  2. Ask for their opinion and listen to what they have to say.
  3. Help your child study for a test and let them know how smart you think they are.
  4. Encourage your children to come to you when they’re facing a problem. Give them advice, but also provide them with the space they need to learn and grow on their own.
  5. Use humor to cheer them up when they’re feeling down.
  6. Celebrate daily accomplishments, like when your child gets an ‘A’ on a science paper or gives his/her best on the playing field. Children want to make their parents proud, so show them you take notice by acknowledging the good that they do.
  7. Say, “I love you,” to your children every single day, not just on special occasions, and remind them regularly that you’re always there for them.
Everyday can be Family Day when moms, dads and other caregivers
are actively involved in their children’s lives and show they care.
Remember, parental engagement matters!
 
For more tips on being active in your children’s lives, visit:
 
Substance Abuse at Columbia University: Family Day – Be Involved.
Stay Involved.