Social Media Challenges, How Far Is Too Far?

Over the past years of this social media obsessed generation, there have been quite a few challenges going around. Most are just for fun and to show off a skill or some creativity or even bring awareness to an issue, but not too long ago a tiktok challenge got hit with some harsh criticism.

Ever heard of the holocaust challenge? Well, it was just as insensitive as it sounds. Tiktok creators were making videos in which they dressed up and acted as if they were a victim of the WWII genocide. It comes as no surprise that the public considered these videos disgusting and their outcry brought protest to the videos and the challenge.

Now, social media challenges aren’t always a mistake, some have brought light onto platforms when the world is spinning around us too fast and everything feels dim. For example, there was a mass amount of challenges that hit social media this year during the pandemic and amid quaratine. Many of these challenges kept everyone feeling sane while being stuck inside of their homes. We saw challenges like the #trickshot challenge where people used pots and pan and other house hold items as obstacles that a ping pong ball had to bounce off of and eventually land inside of a red solo cup. Another was the #fliptheswitch challenge where people used the lyrics “I just flipped the switch” of the popular Drake song, “Nonstop” and people would swap clothing, poses and even sometimes attitudes while the lights were switched off and back on.

Challenges like these are light hearted and can bring joy into our lives. We needed that escape from boredom and tiktok brought us just that. Don’t get me wrong, challenges can bring a deeper meaning like the ALS Ice Bucket challenge that brought awareness to the disease ALS, but we have to first ask ourselves if putting out this content would hurt anyone. If not, feel free to bring awareness to untouched topics and hard issues, but do it to bring light into the world.