What if my child repeats mean pranks they see online? 

Parenting Perspective 

Children are naturally drawn to what seems funny and exciting, which is why online prank videos can be so captivating for them. However, many of these pranks cross the line into meanness by embarrassing, frightening, or targeting someone for public laughter. When your child copies this behaviour, they may see it as harmless fun, but it can damage relationships and erode empathy. Your role is to help them understand the critical difference between playful fun and harmful actions, guiding them to choose kindness over cruelty. 

Why Children Copy Online Pranks 

Understanding the appeal of these videos helps you correct the behaviour without shaming the child. They often imitate pranks because: 

• They see the pranksters gaining huge amounts of attention and online popularity. 

• The exaggerated, often staged, reactions in the videos look entertaining. 

• They want to feel clever or popular among their peers for successfully executing the prank. 

Set a Clear Rule About Respect 

Make it unequivocally clear that pranks designed to embarrass, frighten, or hurt others are unacceptable. 

‘In our family, we do not find humour in upsetting other people. Fun should make everyone feel good, not just the person playing the prank.’ 

This helps your child understand that true fun is inclusive and never comes at another person’s expense. 

Teach Them to Practise Empathy 

Guide your child to consider the feelings of the person being targeted. This is a crucial step in building their moral compass. 

Ask a simple, reflective question: ‘How would you feel if someone played that prank on you? Would you be laughing, or would you feel hurt and embarrassed?’ 

Encouraging them to imagine being on the receiving end makes the cruelty of the act much more real. 

Offer Alternatives for Fun 

Channel their desire for humour into positive and creative outlets. Introduce them to silly riddles, harmless magic tricks, or games that bring joy without causing distress. You can even share examples of pranks that are genuinely lighthearted, like hiding a toy and then helping to find it. This shows them they can be playful without being mean. 

Reinforce Kind Humour 

When your child makes others laugh in a kind and constructive way, acknowledge it immediately. 

‘That joke you told was so funny and clever you made everyone smile.’ 

This reinforces that positive social skills earn more genuine and lasting admiration than meanness ever will. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches us to guard our actions and words, ensuring that they are a source of peace and comfort for others, never a source of harm. Even in moments of play, a believer must be mindful that laughter should not be derived from another person’s pain or humiliation. 

Mocking or embarrassing others is strictly forbidden, as we can never know a person’s true worth in the sight of Allah. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verse 11: 

‘ Those of you who are believers, do not let a nation ridicule another nation, as perhaps it may be that they are better than them…’ 

This verse is a direct command against any act of ridicule. It teaches that true respect for others is a fundamental principle of faith. 

Belittling another person, even for the sake of a joke, is a serious wrongdoing. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2564, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘It is enough evil for a person to belittle his Muslim brother.’ 

This hadith serves as a powerful reminder that humiliating others is not a light matter. By guiding your child away from copying mean pranks, you are not just protecting their manners but also nurturing their heart. They learn that real joy comes from spreading kindness, and that dignity, not cruelty, is what earns true respect in the sight of Allah.