It’s no secret that kids are easily fooled, and while playful pranks can lead to laughter, a recent trend involving Snapchat’s frightening filters might be crossing the line. A few weeks back, the creators of the popular photo-sharing app unveiled a set of new filters that can transform users into whimsical characters like rainbow vomiters or creepy demons that seem to leap straight from your nightmares. Seriously, just take a look at these images and try not to feel a chill.
In a rather alarming twist, some parents have chosen to use these terrifying monster filters to prank their little ones. A quick search for “scared kid on Snapchat” on video platforms will reveal a plethora of clips showcasing parents “hilariously” scaring their toddlers, who react with tears and frantic attempts to hide. It’s truly a heartwarming spectacle… or is it?
While some viewers might find these videos uproariously funny, others—like myself—believe they belong in the category of “pranks that have gone too far.” Sure, playing tricks on kids isn’t inherently bad, but there’s definitely a threshold where we must recognize what children can handle emotionally. Many of the kids featured in these videos are preschoolers or younger, who often struggle to differentiate between reality and fantasy. This isn’t akin to a parent jumping out from behind a door to scare a 10-year-old; these are toddlers who might not understand that what they’re seeing isn’t real.
Research by Dr. Linda Hartman, a child psychologist at the University of Parenting, indicates that children under the age of seven are often frightened by fantasy, as they can’t grasp that these images are not real—even if you assure them otherwise. Thus, telling a scared child that a monster isn’t real doesn’t really help soothe their fears. Adults can distinguish between fantasy and reality, but little ones often cannot.
This doesn’t mean that kids should never experience fear or that playing pranks on them makes you a terrible parent. What it does imply is the necessity of knowing where to draw the line. If a child is genuinely frightened and in tears, chances are the prank has crossed a boundary. Continuing to shove your phone in their face to further scare them? That’s just wrong. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with playful tricks, we should avoid violating a child’s emotional boundaries for our own amusement.
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In summary, while some pranks can be lighthearted and fun, terrifying toddlers with Snapchat filters is a clear example of crossing the line. Understanding the emotional capacity of young children is crucial in parenting, and it’s important to ensure that our attempts at humor do not leave lasting scars.
Keyphrase: Parenting gone wrong with Snapchat filters
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