Are We Risking Lives for “Likes”? How to Protect Children from Online Threats

The internet has become an inseparable part of children’s lives. Technology gives them access to knowledge, creativity, and free thinking — but also opens doors to serious dangers.

Especially vulnerable are teenagers, who often fall for fake content, manipulative trends, and risky “challenges.”

Deadly “Challenges” and the Illusion of Likes
In recent years, viral trends like Blue Whale, Momo Challenge, and Blackout Challenge have affected many young lives.

In early 2025, four children in the UK died attempting the Blackout Challenge. Their parents filed a lawsuit against TikTok.

Such tragedies prove just how real internet threats are.

Why Are Kids So Easily Misled?
With little life experience, children struggle to verify information. They take falsehoods as truth and fall under psychological pressure.

Some seek attention in the digital world — even at the cost of their safety.

Is Protection in Uzbekistan Enough?
There are laws in place. Fines and legal consequences exist for spreading fake news.

But most measures deal with consequences, not prevention. A more structured, proactive system is needed.

What Should Be Done?

• Media literacy lessons should be introduced in schools;
  
• Platforms must automatically detect and remove harmful content within 24 hours;
  
• The state should pass preventive digital safety legislation.
  

Countries like Germany and Canada already have effective systems in place. There’s much we can learn from them.

What do you think — what's the most effective way to protect children from hidden online dangers? Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!