Humorous videos broadcast on the social network TikTok which invite young people to “die on February 13” to receive flowers on Valentine’s Day are raising concerns in the educational community.
“We have just been informed that a challenge is currently circulating on the social network TikTok encouraging young people to take their own lives today, February 13, to receive flowers tomorrow, Valentine’s Day,” he said. we read in an internal notice from the Patriotes School Service Center. The same document was retransmitted by several other groups this Tuesday.
The organization insists on the fact that it wants to “raise awareness” among parents “to this challenge and invite you to be vigilant with your child”, ensuring that it will do the same at school.
“It is recommended to open a dialogue with your young person to check what they are viewing on social networks and to ensure that they feel good. Do not hesitate to confirm that he does not intend to participate in the challenge and try to identify signs of distress,” insists the school service center.
Many Internet users, however, noted shortly after the broadcast of these notices that the videos in question are not “challenges” encouraging young people to commit suicide, but rather a joke that has gone viral in recent days, as the Valentine’s day.
These videos are therefore only dark humor, and not a call for suicide, several users pointed out. “If you want to receive flowers on Valentine’s Day, but you’re single, all you have to do is die on February 13,” said one of these capsules.
In general, the authorities recommend that parents “be open, available and without judgment” in this type of situation. “Your child may have questions about suicide or death by suicide. Make sure this is not a request for help. You could explain that suicide is never a solution and that there are always ways to solve problems,” it is argued.