Dangerous challenges or stunts
Research shows that the way in which this type of risk behaviour is portrayed in the media can influence the perception that young people have of this behaviour, as well as their own behaviour (Fischer et al., 2011). Seeing risk behaviour in media content can contribute to the idea that such behaviour is common or accepted, which can lower the threshold for displaying such behaviour yourself (Neighbors et al., 2007). Teenagers in particular are attracted to risky behaviours and are also sensitive to social influence. They look at people in their environment as well as at media characters to determine what behaviours are normal or accepted (Valkenburg & Piotrowksi, 2017). The challenges in online content are often carried out by people with whom children and teenagers can identify. Since 2020, Kijkwijzer therefore warns when dangerous behaviour is present in such content.
