Children are not entertainment.

Children are not content.

And most importantly — children should never be terrified just to make people laugh.

A disturbing online trend has grown in recent years: adults intentionally scaring their own children (or other young kids) using masks, darkness, shouting, or “jump scares,” while filming their reactions for social media.

These are often described as “innocent pranks.”

But anyone who understands even a little about child psychology knows there is nothing innocent about causing intense fear to a young child who cannot defend themselves or understand what’s happening.