Teenagers are often exposed to pranks that encourage them to "one-up" each other, leading to increasingly dangerous and inappropriate actions.
The pressure to be funny or popular on these platforms can make teenagers ignore the potential harm their pranks could cause.
Psychologists and educators have raised concerns about how pranks affect teenagers' behavior.
"Social media has created a space where pranks are no longer just about fun, they have become a way to gain popularity,” says Dr Emily Thomas, a child psychologist in Oxford, Mississippi, U.S. "This can encourage reckless behavior and desensitize young people to the feelings and experiences of others, " she added.
The "prank" trend on social media is gaining popularity among teenagers, especially high school kids, and the effects are not always positive.
While some pranks may appear entertaining, they can have major emotional, social, and psychological consequences in shaping youth identity.
It is important for young people to recognize the possible risks, and for parents, schools, and social media platforms to influence popular culture to promote positive online conduct.
By encouraging tolerance, kindness, and empathy, we may help prevent this trend from becoming a crisis for a generation of youths. (*)
*Arzeti Zunaedi, Mahasiswa Prodi Bahasa dan Sastra Inggris Universitas Airlangga.