Viral Internet Challenges

About this course

Every few months a new challenge sweeps through school group chats. Most are harmless. A few send children to hospital, hand strangers private footage or end in a police matter. This free course looks at why challenges spread, the psychology of dares in front of an audience, how algorithms reward escalation, and how to run a calm conversation at home or in class that does not simply forbid and fail. Includes a quick risk test young people can apply themselves before they press record.

Module 01

Why challenges spread

3 readings, a knowledge check and a learner Q&A covering why challenges spread.

• Audience, dares and peer pressure at scaleReading · 12 min
• How algorithms reward escalationReading · 11 min
• Case studies from the regionReading · 10 min
• Why challenges spread: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 5 min
• Why challenges spread: questions from learnersQ&A · 4 min

Module 02

Assessing risk

3 readings, a knowledge check and a learner Q&A covering assessing risk.

• The risk test: body, privacy, permanence, lawReading · 8 min
• Challenges that cross into criminal territoryReading · 6 min
• When a dare becomes coercionReading · 8 min
• Assessing risk: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 5 min
• Assessing risk: questions from learnersQ&A · 4 min

Module 03

Responding

2 readings, a knowledge check and a learner Q&A covering responding.

• Conversations that work at home and in classReading · 9 min
• Getting harmful content taken downReading · 9 min
• Responding: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 5 min
• Responding: questions from learnersQ&A · 4 min

Module 04

Final assessment & certificate

Bring it together, pass the final check and unlock your CyberSafeTT certificate.

• Your action planReading · 8 min
• Final assessmentKnowledge check · 10 min

What's included

• 16 lessons · 1 hr 58 min of study
• Readings, knowledge checks and Q&A
• Self-paced, on any device
• Downloadable checklists
• CyberSafeTT certificate
• Group & school rates available