What do I say when friends dare them to film someone for laughs? 

Parenting Perspective 

When your child faces peer pressure to record someone for a laugh, they are standing at a moral crossroads. What may seem like harmless fun to their friends is, in reality, a lesson in empathy and respect. As a parent, your goal is not just to forbid the act but to build their inner filter—the ability to recognise when humour crosses the line into harm. Begin by staying calm and curious. Ask, ‘What made this seem funny to your friends?’ This opens the door for a conversation rather than a defensive reaction, helping your child to reflect before they act. 

Help Them to See the Real Impact 

Explain that filming someone without their consent can humiliate them, violate their privacy, and cause long-term harm if the video is shared online. You can say, ‘Imagine if someone recorded you at your worst moment and shared it with everyone. How would that make you feel?’ Encourage your child to understand that laughter should never depend on another person’s pain. This focus on empathy helps children to shift their perspective from entertainment to understanding. 

Teach Practical Responses to Peer Pressure 

Give your child confident yet non-aggressive phrases to use when they are dared to do something they know is wrong. 

• ‘That is not funny; it is just mean.’ 

• ‘I do not record people without their permission.’ 

• ‘You guys can do what you want, but I am not going to be a part of that.’ 

Rehearse these lines with them so that they come naturally under pressure. Let them know that walking away or refusing to participate is not a weakness, but a sign of leadership. 

Build a Sense of Digital Responsibility 

Explain that phones are not just toys; they are tools that carry a great deal of trust. What they capture can either protect or destroy a person’s dignity. You can set clear family rules, such as: never film without consent, delete any unkind recordings immediately, and report any content that feels wrong. Encourage them to use their camera for good, and praise them when they choose respect over ridicule. 

Spiritual Insight 

Mocking, shaming, or exposing the private moments of others is strictly forbidden in Islam. The noble Quran repeatedly reminds believers that the dignity and privacy of every individual are sacred, and violating them darkens the heart. Helping your child to recognise this is not just about discipline; it is about building a moral consciousness that is rooted in faith. 

Guarding Honour and Dignity 

The Quran teaches that laughter at someone else’s expense is not entertainment, but a form of arrogance. 

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…’ 

Remind your child that every person has been honoured by Allah, and to mock them, whether through words or videos, is to insult the One who created them. Encourage your child to ask themselves, ‘Would I want to meet Allah having laughed at someone else’s pain?’ This reflection transforms a moment of temptation into an act of remembrance. 

The Sin of Exposing the Faults of Others 

The teachings of our Prophet ﷺ show the profound reward that comes with protecting the dignity of others. Even when someone makes a mistake or looks foolish, Islam urges us to conceal it, not to expose it. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2590, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Whoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection.’ 

You can teach your child that recording or sharing someone’s awkward moment takes away their safety, which is something that every believer has a duty to guard. You might say, ‘When you refuse to film or share something hurtful, Allah is pleased with you and promises to protect you in return.’ 

When a child learns this, their conscience becomes their shield. They realise that walking away from mockery is not about fearing punishment, but about valuing compassion.