Latest news with #teensafety
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Experts Say The 'Yes You Can' TikTok Trend Can Lead to Grooming— What Parents Need to Know
A new concerning TikTok trend called "Yes You Can" appears to promote girl empowerment—but experts warn it may actually lead to grooming. Teens are posting suggestive videos of themselves using a viral audio clip to encourage risky behavior. Experts warn that this trend exploits teens and could expose them to predators and long-term emotional of young girls are raising red flags about the "Yes You Can" trend popping up on TikTok. In fact, one mom is urging parents to stop scrolling and pay attention. She says that while the posts are disguised as girl empowerment, they are actually something much more sinister—and the mental health professionals we spoke with agree. "The 'Yes You Can' trend is sophisticated digital grooming disguised as girl empowerment," says Noelani Sagapolutele, LCSW, founder of Waʻa Collective and school social worker with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education. "It uses affirming 'yes you can' language to normalize dangerous behaviors like sneaking out at 2 a.m. to meet older males, getting into strangers' cars, sending inappropriate photos, and dismissing parental guidance." Here's what you need to know about this new TikTok trend and what you can do about it. Teens on TikTok are using a viral audio clip of a song with the lyrics "Yes you can," while mostly girls add text overlays with variations like "I can't date a 2007," implying that someone else is saying the person born in that year is too young for them to date. The teen then lip syncs "yes you can" and nods along in the video, as if pushing back against objection. Some of the birth years shown are as recent as 2012—suggesting, alarmingly, that it's OK to date someone as young as 13. These videos are meant encourage others to push boundaries, says Tessa Stuckey, MA, LPC, a therapist and author of For the Sake of Our Youth. "But dangerously blur the lines between confidence and recklessness. It's unclear where [this trend] started, but like many trends, it spread quickly through viral soundbites and peer mimicry." The 'Yes You Can' trend also brings a high level of risk, including the possibility of online sexual solicitation, says Diane Lampkins, LSW, child abuse prevention coordinator at The Center for Family Safety and Healing at Nationwide Children's Hospital. "Any time there is a campaign aimed at glamorizing risky behaviors that confuses [a young person's] gut instinct in a we should be concerned," says Lampkins. "Young people may have difficulty assessing the danger or risk of a challenge, especially if they see a friend posting, or reposting, similar content." Plus, it weaponizes empowerment language to bypass teens' natural safety instincts, says Sagapolutele. When girls hear these messages, their developing brains process this as validation, rather than recognizing it as grooming, she says. These videos may also unknowingly exposing young girls to predators or adults with nefarious intentions. One concerned TikToker highlighted how adults are following this content—and even commenting on it. "Many of those strangers aren't just scrolling—they're actively seeking out content featuring young girls," says Anamara Ritt-Olson, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Health, Society, & Behavior at UC Irvine's Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health. "Some leave inappropriate comments or save the videos to share elsewhere. Even when kids think they're just having fun, their posts can attract dangerous attention from adults with harmful intentions, turning a seemingly innocent trend into a serious safety risk." Experts say these comments and encouragement are a form of grooming. "This aligns perfectly with documented grooming patterns where predators give children the illusion of control while manipulating them toward exploitation," says Sagapolutele. "It's 'reverse psychology' grooming at scale." According to Sagapolutele, modern grooming tactics increasingly exploit tweens' and teens' natural desire for empowerment and independence, making dangerous behaviors appear as expressions of personal agency and maturity. "The trend helps identify vulnerable targets, normalizes risky interactions with older individuals, and creates communities where boundary-pushing behavior is celebrated.""The trend helps identify vulnerable targets, normalizes risky interactions with older individuals, and creates communities where boundary-pushing behavior is celebrated."Like all adolescents, young girls crave belonging and identity, says Shari B. Kaplan, LCSW, an integrative trauma specialist and founder of Cannectd Wellness. In a digital world where likes and views are seen as validation, trends like this prey on that need, she says. "Participating may feel like empowerment to them because they are in charge of doing something 'adult-like' and independent, exerting their female self," says Kaplan. "But in reality, it's often masking deeper feelings of powerlessness, and a need for acknowledgment that they are worthy of connection." This can create a false sense of belonging and lead to a sense of worthiness, says Kaplan. Meanwhile, if their peers are challenging them with 'Yes You Can' posts, young girls may feel pressured to prove their independence or maturity by doing things that could lead to trauma, exploitation, or long-term mental health consequences, adds Stuckey. "It glorifies rebellion while ignoring real-world safety and emotional fallout." Once it is all said and done, they may suffer psychologically, even if they remain safe from physical harm, says Kaplan. "In the aftermath of posting their risky behaviors, they may experience shame, confusion around self-identity, and disorientation around self-boundaries, and trust in self and others." Trends like these accelerate unsafe behaviors, create digital footprints that can haunt kids later, and open the door to predators, says Stuckey. There needs to be stronger platform moderation and proactive digital literacy education at home and in schools. She offers these tips for navigating TikTok and its tendency toward dangerous trends and challenges: Start with curiosity. Ask your child what they've seen, how it makes them feel, and if they've ever felt pressured to join in. Explain how predators use trends. Help them understand that not everyone online has good intentions—and that grooming often starts through 'harmless' encouragement. Keep devices in shared spaces. Avoid total surveillance, but promote transparency and device-free zones. Model healthy digital behavior. Have open conversations explaining why you set boundaries and how you use your devices intentionally. Reinforce their real worth. Praise their critical thinking, empathy, and courage to reject unhealthy trends. Teach your child the three-second rule. If something makes them pause, feel weird, or question it, don't engage—close the app and talk to someone about it. Keep the conversation going. It's not one big 'talk,' but many small ones. Teach them what true empowerment looks like. Empowerment comes from self-worth, safety, and strong values. Girls are more likely to reject toxic trends when they know what authentic empowerment looks like. "There's a crucial difference between 'Yes You Can' and 'Yes You Should,'" she says. "This trend teaches girls to equate capability with decision-making—but real empowerment is about knowing when to say no, even when you technically can say yes." Keeping kids safe on TikTok requires a comprehensive approach, says Sagapolutele. Use the platform's Family Pairing features, including daily screen time limits, Restricted Mode content filtering, automatic direct message controls for users 13 to 15, and privacy settings that default to private accounts for users under 16. She also suggests combining these technical solutions with ongoing communication."Look for specific behavioral warning signs, including sudden secrecy about online activities, mood changes after device use, sleep disruption, declining academic performance, and withdrawal from family activities. For content red flags, recognize that dangerous trends now include empowerment-disguised content that appears positive but encourages risky behavior." Also, focus on maintaining open communication where your teen feels safe sharing their online experiences; and create a family media plan that ensures social media doesn't crowd out essential activities like sleep, physical activity, and face-to-face relationships, says Sagapolutele. "Most importantly, help teens understand that their developing brains make them particularly vulnerable to manipulative content, and that asking for guidance shows strength, not weakness," she says. "The key message I want parents to understand is that this isn't just another 'dangerous challenge'. It's a sophisticated form of manipulation."If your child has TikTok, be aware that the app's algorithms can lead to potentially inappropriate or harmful content. Our experts recommend watching out for things like: Trends or challenges encouraging risky behaviors Ingestion challenges Stunts and pranks Scams and fraud Misinformation Concerning phrases Suggestive hashtags Cyberbullying Adults interacting with kids Disordered or restrictive eating content Swearing Sexual content Hate speechRead the original article on Parents
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Inside Helena Lersch's Values-Driven TikTok Leadership
Helena Lersch, Vice President of Public Policy at TikTok To say that Helena Lersch, Vice President of Public Policy at TikTok, has one of the most important jobs technology would be an understatement. TikTok is a global giant with over a billion users in a sector where engaging with policy makers is becoming increasingly critical. The influence of social media on young minds continues to spark intense public debate, making the protection of younger users a top priority for platforms like TikTok. This is where she has had a huge impact. Helena has helped shape TikTok from the ground up, quite literally. She was part of the original team that created the platform's first community guidelines - a crucial step she looks back on with pride. Helena Lersch, Vice-President of Public Policy at TikTok, on a recent visit to Bangkok. That early work laid the foundation for one of TikTok's most vital pillars of trust and safety. Today, this pillar is supported by a global network of tens of thousands, all focused on protecting users around the world. On 11 March 2025, TikTok introduced new safety tools specifically designed for teens and their parents, including greater visibility into how teens interact with content. 'I cannot emphasise enough how much I respect that team and the work that they do, as it is not easy,' Lersch says. 'I think we're moving in the right direction to address these challenges. If your teen reports a video, you as a parent can understand that, which I think is very important, so you have visibility on how your teen is engaging with content,' she says. Helena doesn't mince words when it comes to children and technology. 'I believe that under 13s should not be using social media,' she states bluntly. 'There's a reason why, by regulation, that isn't allowed. TikTok has also previously faced criticism over content quality and the promotion of unrealistic expectations. Helena is equally outspoken about how the platform is tackling these concerns head-on. She highlights the new Refresh feature, which lets users reset their 'For You' page at the click of a button and start over. 'I've actually done this several times because I felt like there was content that wasn't relevant for me,' she shares. 'I think it's important to give tools to empower our users to get the most positive experience that they want.' Many of these innovations stem directly from user input and are shaped with guidance from TikTok's Youth Council and Safety Advisory Councils. 'We always listen to user feedback,' she explains. 'We stay entrepreneurial. If there's a problem that our users face, we fix it. We develop something new.' Helena Lersch meeting attendees at a conference during her recent visit to Bangkok. It's this same spirit of entrepreneurship that has fueled one of TikTok's newest and most meaningful launches: the STEM feed – a curated stream of content focused on science, technology, engineering, and maths, as well as practical educational tools like English-language lessons. Helena sees it as a natural extension of the platform's mission to empower, and another way it is ensuring that youth on the platform have access to meaningful content. 'This is the content you'd want to engage with,' she says. 'As a parent, you can actually consume this content together with your teen and guide them.' This blend of global scale, personal purpose, and practical tools is what drives Helena's work - and what continues to shape TikTok into a platform where innovation and inclusion go hand in hand. Tyumen, Russia - January 21, 2020: TikTok application on screen Apple iPhone XR Since joining seven years ago, Helena has watched TikTok explode from a few hundred million users into a global powerhouse. With that growth has come a groundswell of opportunity for ambitious entrepreneurs – many of them women - to turn their creativity into thriving businesses. Lersch's face lights up when she talks about one of them: Alexandra Lourdes, Las Vegas-based donut shop owner of Saint Honore Donuts, mother of two, and serial entrepreneur, whom she met at the 2024 APEC Summit in Peru. 'She now owns seven businesses and on TikTok she actually shows the way she lives, and how she raises two kids alongside the seven businesses. She was able to grow a fellowship and her businesses while she was on TikTok,' Lersch recalls. 'I can't tell you how inspiring it was to meet her.' She sees that same spark in Sarah Hamouda, founder of the now famous Dubai Chocolate, whose TikTok presence has catapulted her to global recognition. These women, Lersch says, 'made the most of technological development, while being so incredibly human, inspiring and at the end of the day, super successful.' These stories are fuel for Helena. They are the source of her energy. A powerful reminder of the real-world impact TikTok can have. Sarah Hamouda, founder of the now famous Dubai Chocolate, has been catapulted to global recognition ... More through her TikTok presence. This is what keeps her motivated. Lersch spends a staggering 50% of her time on the road, immersing herself in different global markets to gather on-the-ground insights. 'For example, I was in Indonesia two weeks ago, then I was in Thailand, where I met business owners and creators,' she says. This constant feedback loop between users, creators, and policymakers - in order to innovate - is core to her role. Managing a global team of 70 and spending half her time travelling, I wonder – does Helena ever feel overwhelmed? But for her, it's the deeper purpose behind the work that keeps everything in perspective. She holds herself to the very highest standards of getting it right, believing what she does is vitally important. When it comes to that ever-elusive concept of work-life balance, as a senior woman, she is refreshingly candid. 'This is a very difficult question. It's hard to balance. I think every mother would admit that. There are a lot of different models, and you have to pick what works for you,' she tells me. 'There are obviously moments when I'm needed at home, so then I'm at home. I think that's important. You have to prioritise balance. And sometimes you fail, and then you try again.' Mandeep Rai meets with Helena Lersch at Davos. The pair are pictured with Annette Krober-Riel, Vice ... More President, Government Affairs and Public Policy for Europe at Google and Melike Yetken Krilla, Head of International Organizations at Google. Lerch grew up in Tübingen, a picturesque town in southwest Germany, before her studies and job opportunities took her across Asia and eventually back to Europe. That cross-continental journey has shaped not only her broad worldview but the values that now anchor her leadership. 'I have 40 nationalities in my team, so it's very important to listen to everyone's opinion,' she explains. 'My team is very diverse, and I learn so much from them every day." One of her anchors through her entire TikTok journey has been mentorship from current and past colleagues across the globe. 'I think it's super important to have mentors to ask for support and advice,' Helena says. 'Talking through issues with other mentors, advisors, people that are 10 or 20 years ahead of you - that's very important. It has helped me a lot, and it continues to help.' Whether she's in Germany, Indonesia, or the US, Helena Lersch's values compass remains steady: be open, include others, innovate with purpose. In an industry often dominated by speed, scale, and algorithms, her approach at TikTok is remarkably human. Her story is a reminder that when values are lived - not just spoken - they can scale as powerfully as any technology. Perhaps, a lot of it is driven by a simple but profound thing she said to me: 'I find it very important that I'm still Helena from Tübingen.'
