Risky hashtags to look out for (part 5)
Year 5 to 12 parents and teachers
On social media, hashtags can sometimes be deceptive, masking harmful or risky content behind seemingly innocuous phrases or words. Here’s a list of potentially risky or harmful hashtags that parents and educators should be aware of, as they often relate to behaviors that might pose risks to teenagers:
#Sue: This tag is often used by teens dealing with suicidal thoughts or self-harm, disguised under a nickname for such behavior.
#Ana: Short for anorexia, used to find and share content related to eating disorders, which often promotes unhealthy behaviors and attitudes towards food and body image.
#SueAndAna: A combination of the above, discussing both suicidal thoughts and anorexia.
#Thinspo or #Thinspiration: Promotes 'thinspiration'; used to share images and messages that glorify extreme thinness and unhealthy diet practices.
#Debt: Can refer to dangerous games or challenges where participants perform dares for money, potentially encouraging reckless behaviors.
#Secrets: Might be associated with anonymous confessions or sharing of personal and potentially damaging secrets.
#Blade: Often used in contexts related to self-harm, where users share images, stories, or methods of self-injury.
#Purge: In addition to referencing the movie, this hashtag is used for posts relating to purging as a method of weight control among those with eating disorders.
#Sexting: Related to the sharing of explicit messages or images, which can lead to serious legal consequences for minors.
#EDM: While primarily standing for Electronic Dance Music, it can also be connected to drug use at music festivals or rave culture.
#Fitspo: While intended to promote fitness inspiration, it can sometimes cross over into promoting unhealthy exercise and diet routines.
#K2: Refers to synthetic cannabinoids, which are illegal and potentially dangerous substances.
#Drunk: Glamorizes alcohol consumption and might feature underage drinking.
#PartyFavors: While it might sound festive, it's often a code for drugs used at parties.
#Snapchat: While seemingly harmless, discussing Snapchat can sometimes be about sharing private or inappropriate content due to the perceived temporary nature of posts.
#Ootd (Outfit of the Day): Can sometimes veer into discussions or showcases of body image issues, especially when linked to fashion at extreme standards.
It’s important for parents and educators to monitor these hashtags not only to understand the content their teens are exposed to but also to initiate open discussions about the implications of engaging with such topics online. Awareness and education are key in helping teens navigate social media safely.
Casper Pieters PhD Dip Ed is an author and educator who uses adventure narratives to enliven the IT curriculum for young people. www.casperpieters.com
