WATCH: Psychologist weighs in on viral TikTok challenge 'disrupting' KZN schools
A Durban-based educational psychologist says schools have to adapt and keep up with social media trends and educate children on cyber safety.
"In the end, education is important, so it's that cyber safety that good digital citizenship, how do you keep your accounts clean? what happens and what are the consequences? are you legally liable? These are discussions that actually need to happen with children,'' says Nicola Buhr.
Buhr's been commenting on a video of learners, believed to be from Phoenix, doing a viral TikTok dance challenge called Umlando.
The KwaZulu-Natal police say the children from different schools disrupted schooling and gathered in large groups.
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They went around the area pelting cars with stones, chanting and brandishing sticks.
Police were called in to disperse them.
Burh says while social media platforms are not all bad as children seek to be part of something and are drawn to risk-taking behaviour.
"Negative challenges tend to be appealing to them because it's a chance for them to try and explore bending and breaking the rules and the limits of adults expect of them. But the problem with that is it doesn't mean they can break the law."
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"For example, that challenge that happened in Phoenix, the actions that you saw goes beyond the actual challenge. So you got to look at it as what is the challenge, what behaviour have they engaged in and regardless of a challenge you are accountable for that."
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