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Viral prank aimed at children could cause them serious harm, experts warn
Pranks can be fun, but there are other sides to it.
On the ‘Magic for Humans’ reality show, host and magician Justin Willman do an ‘invisibility prank’.
He convinces an adult man he had turned invisible, and the idea goes viral.
When @Justin_Willman did this he framed it humourously and with a well adjusted adult. Doing the same to a child who is obviously terrified, sensitive and panicing is abusive. It's an amazing effect, but pick your 'volunteers' better. #ptsd #KidsNeedMentors #shame
— Jonathan Jenkyn - giving up for lent (@BelialBoy) September 9, 2018
Read more on our Twitter account @amomama_usa.
HOW IT WORKS
well that escalated quickly pic.twitter.com/pSMBMwILZX
— makayla cunningham☕️ (@_makaylaanne__) September 8, 2018
Pre-shot photos of the empty chair the person being pranked will sit in, make sure that everyone around is involved.
Once in the chair, pictures are taken, but only the ones taken beforehand are shown as evidence that the person has become invisible.
A mother decided to prank her son on his 6th birthday by giving his gift to him in an unusual way. To watch more on this follow here.
THE REACTION
Many parents have posted how they pranked their children. With mixed reactions.
Some children showing their confusion while others have mixed reaction of shock, sadness, and disbelief.
THINK TWICE BEFORE PRANKING
this could cause a serious trauma, I don't understand how so many people still think it's that funny... it was a bit funny at first, and I don't think they meant harm, but it realy could have been mentally damaging...
— ZELTINGLE (@ZELTYCWASABEE) September 11, 2018
The clinical director of Child & Family Treatment, a psychological counseling service in Lincoln Park and Skokie says:
“If a child has a narrative about him- or herself that they see as unworthy or mockable, then this video won’t be good for that self-image,” Sova said. “It can decrease the sense of self-worth within the family.”
We did the invisible prank on my prima and it was the funniest thing ever 😂(we had to exaggerate) pic.twitter.com/tKNbxYYP6A
— Lupita Ruvalcaba (@mariaruvalcba) September 3, 2018
When a posted prank goes viral, random viewers can laugh at the child’s reaction which can lead to self-worth issues.
In essence, the child is mocked, humiliated and laughed at which can be damaging to the child.
Parents should be mindful of what effect this could have on their child.
