Handling tipsSpooky horror content for Halloween

Chain letters often appear in waves, for example around Halloween. Chain letters with death threats and scary stories can be particularly frightening for children. Sometimes the text messages are also accompanied by scary pictures or noises. Children come into contact with these chain letters on WhatsApp in particular.

A typical feature of a chain letter is that it should be sent to a predetermined number of people. The threat is often that something bad will happen if the chain letter is not forwarded. Typical threats include, for example, that a scary figure will appear in the room, that the parents or you yourself will die.

If children contact you with a chain letter, you should definitely take it seriously. No matter how ridiculous the content may seem from your adult perspective -  children have very real concerns about their own safety or that of their loved ones. They need your support in correctly classifying chain letters and overcoming their fears.

• Take children's fears seriously! When a child worries that he or she or a close person might die, these worries are quite real. It is not always easy to refute these irrational fears with reasonable arguments.
• Children are often unaware that the "dangers" described in chain letters have nothing to do with reality. Make it clear to your child again and again that nothing bad will happen if you don't forward a chain letter. If you accompany your child, he or she will gain confidence over time that the dangers threatened in chain letters are not real.
• Together with your child, make up your own age-appropriate scary story. Your child will quickly realize how easy it is and perhaps how much fun it can be. This will make it easier for your child to imagine that the chain letter is actually made up, too.
• Discuss with children which chain letters can be forwarded and which cannot. Set clear rules and show that your child can always come to you with questions. Not all chain letters are threatening or questionable. However, neither should spam. Great care should be taken especially with messages that contain links: These may be viruses or scam attempts.

In addition to chain letters, new and well-known challenges circulate on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat every year - including around Halloween. These often involve shock videos, tests of courage or risky activities in which young people endanger themselves or others. Examples of this include

• Self-experiments in which supernatural phenomena are supposed to be induced (e.g. "ghost conjuring")
• Pranks with scary filter videos in which, for example, younger siblings are frightened to amuse them.
• False information about alleged horror figures or "cursed" places.

What parents and teachers can do

• Talk instead of forbidding: Children are more likely to dare to talk about experiences if they know that they will be taken seriously. They should be able to rely on the fact that they can seek help without having to fear punishment.
• Impart knowledge: Explain to your children how social media works and that a lot of content tries to generate attention - including through fear or shock.
• Learn together: Use our klicksafe materials to talk to children about online fakes, peer pressure and media literacy.
• If the fear remains: Take children's fears seriously. If children or young people are very unsettled, support from school social work or advice centers can also help. For example, is available to children, young people and parents as an anonymous advice service by phone, email or chat: www.nummergenenkummer.de.