As the students enter, ask them to list as many pranks or YouTube challenges as they can think of. Compile a list of as many as you can on the whiteboard. When everyone is settled in, turn everyone’s attention to your list.
- April Fool’s day was just a few weeks ago; did you pull any pranks or have any pulled on you? (Allow a few students to share. Be sure to monitor responses to make sure they are appropriate.)
- How about the YouTube challenges we just listed? Have you tried any? Has anyone you know tried any? (Allow a few students to answer.)
YouTube challenges and pranks can be really fun, but sometimes they go too far. Many people have been hurt by trying YouTube challenges. In fact, they’ve gotten so dangerous that, earlier this year, YouTube had to drastically change its policy on what kinds of prank/challenge videos could be posted.
Share this video with your students [1:31]:
YouTube cracks down on dangerous prank videos
This video shows the scary side of following that type of prank or challenge. Sometimes, trending challenges can do good things, like the Ice Bucket challenge, that raised lots of money for ALS research.
- What do you think? When does a prank or challenge cross the line from fun to wrong? (Answers will vary and could include: “When someone is in danger,” “when you’re putting someone else in danger,” “when you’re hurting someone emotionally,” “when you’re pressuring someone to do something they don’t want to do.”)
- Do you think YouTube’s new guidelines will be helpful? Why or why not? (Students may have conflicting opinions: Yes, if teens can’t post videos of dangerous challenges, they can’t go viral and more teens won’t be tempted to try them. Or, no, teens always find a way around those rules, etc.)
- Do you think pranks and challenges honor God? Can they? (Answers will vary—help your students think of some possible examples on either side if they are having trouble. Some might think pranks and challenges are just hurtful or mean. Others might think challenges can be helpful and pranks can be done in good fun without harming anyone.)
Of course, doing something because your friends (or family member or classmate) told you to is nothing new. We’ve all heard about the dangers of following peer pressure. But now, with peer pressure extending beyond the school day due to social media, the impact seems greater. But people have always tricked others into doing what they wanted. Let’s take a look at one of those times when someone used tricks and lies to get someone else to do something they wanted.