MLL launches alert service for parents to combat dangerous social media challenges

By admin On Mar 6, 2024

With the rise of dangerous social media trends among youth, parents often feel left to tackle these challenges on their own. The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL) has introduced a warning service dedicated to alerting parents about hazardous social media challenges spreading locally. This innovative service honors the memory of Niilo Shemeikka, a young individual who tragically lost his life.

A survey on youth media use by MLL reveals that the majority of children and teenagers have encountered dangerous social media challenges. These challenges often appear as fun and games, making it difficult for children to recognize their harmful or even deadly potential. MLL’s new service aims to inform parents about locally spreading challenges in time to prevent further tragedies.

The alert service is a free platform designed for parents, allowing them to view trending challenges on a map and sign up for local text message notifications. These real-time alerts help parents identify potential risks and make informed decisions about their children’s media education.

“Especially young people are vulnerable to rapidly spreading social media challenges. While it’s crucial for parents to stay informed about their children’s media world, it’s impossible to constantly monitor the content they’re exposed to. Our service provides parents with the means to share information about harmful and dangerous social media challenges and trends,” explains Paula Aalto, head of MLL’s school cooperation and digital youth work.

Aalto believes that as long as service providers and legislation do not sufficiently protect children in digital environments, parents must strive to ensure that both children and adults have adequate information. “Our goal is that no more children or young people lose their lives to social media challenges,” says Aalto.

In Memory of Niilo, a Victim of a Social Media Challenge

The need for such a service became painfully clear to Jonna Penttilä when she learned her son Niilo had been hospitalized. Niilo had climbed onto an abandoned train and received a fatal electric shock from a power line. Known for his cheerfulness and as the group’s entertainer, Niilo was studying building services engineering at the time. Jonna described their relationship as a strong team.

“I’m deeply moved that Niilo’s memory can help protect young people from dangerous social media challenges. I wish this service had been available earlier to support parents. I hope that in the future, no parent will have to experience what I did,” says Jonna Penttilä, Niilo’s mother.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi