Parents of children enrolled in Dubai private schools are being warned of dangerous social media trends like the "Skull Breaker Challenge" that involves two people to kick the legs from under a third to make them fall.
"Choking, breath-holding, applying pressure to the neck or head" were other trends reported in "some schools", Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said.
While schools are "addressing this matter directly with students", the authority sent out an advisory to the parent community, urging them to "speak openly" with their children about the "dangers" of such behaviours.
It added that children could be taking part for fun or as part of a joke without completely understanding the risks involved.
The KHDA warned that students "found participating in, encouraging, or recording such behaviours will be subject to disciplinary action in line with the school’s behaviour policy".
More "serious cases" will be referred to relevant external authorities, it added.
Parents have been urged to reach out to the school or seek medical advice if they have "immediate concerns" about their "child’s physical or emotional wellbeing".
What parents and guardians can do
- Speak openly with your children about the dangers of behaviours that restrict breathing, reduce blood flow to the brain, or involve forceful contact to the head or neck
- Reinforce that such actions are not games and can cause serious harm or life-threatening consequences
- Remain attentive to your child’s wellbeing and online activity, including awareness of social media challenges or peer influence
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