A school service center in Drummondville has warned parents about a worrying trend on TikTok, in which young people are invited in “humorous” videos to take their own lives on Tuesday, to receive flowers on Wednesday, at on the occasion of Valentine’s Day.
Sent by several school service centers across Quebec on Tuesday, the notice sparked numerous reactions from parents on social networks.
Public health in Mauricie-et-Centre-du-Québec, among others, also issued a warning regarding these questionable videos.
Indeed, several videos are circulating on the social network TikTok, offering various scenarios with inscriptions such as: “If you want flowers on February 14, just die on the 13th”.
In the “awareness” message sent to parents, we can read in particular: “We considered it important to warn you quickly since this is a challenge that encourages you to take action tomorrow [mardi]. Our intention is not to alarm you, but simply to make you aware of this challenge so that you can be on the lookout for any unusual behavior in your child.
The management of the Chênes Service Center also invites parents to discuss the situation with their child, by paying attention to their habits on social networks.
A “troubling” trend
This type of “disturbing” videos should not be trivialized, even if they are made under the cover of humor, affirms the Quebec Suicide Prevention Association.
This TikTok phenomenon could thus contribute to “weakening” people who would be “already vulnerable,” insists Luc Massicotte, director of strategy and digital services at the Quebec Suicide Prevention Association.
“The positive or romantic representation of suicide by making it attractive in the form of a challenge does not do any useful work. The people who initiate this do not fully understand the impact of this type of challenge,” laments Mr. Massicotte.
According to him, these videos on social networks deserve attention, in particular by questioning and opening discussion with the young people concerned.
“The posture of alertness and attention is the right thing to do,” he says.
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