Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is calling out a new social media trend as harmful and disturbing, because it mocks blindness.
Trending hashtags like #BlindChallenge and #BlindKidChallenge encourage parents to film their children pretending to be blind for entertainment, likes and views.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has contacted social media companies and has been informed they are actively reviewing the issue.
It comes ahead of the Federal government’s social media ban for under-16s, set to come into effect in December.
Call for action on harmful content
Now, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is calling for:
- Social media platforms to remove harmful content and ban associated hashtags.
- Government leadership in addressing online trends that target or misrepresent disability.
- Greater public awareness of how everyday action can either reinforce stereotypes or build inclusion.
Tamara Searant, general manager of social change at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT said this sort of content sends the wrong message to young people.
She said it exploits disability and impacts understanding of inclusion.
“At best these videos show ignorance. At worst they reflect a blatant disregard for people who are blind or have low vision and the challenges they face every day,” Searant said.
“Blindness is not a costume or a challenge, it’s a reality that millions of people navigate every day with strength, skill and resilience. We’re asking parents, creators, and platforms to pause and reflect: in 2025, how can we use social media to embrace inclusion, rather than negative stigma?
“We are urging social media platforms and the Government to take immediate action to remove harmful content and ensure disability is represented with dignity and care.”
Athlete and Blind Australian of the Year 2024, Courtney Webeck, is supporting Guide Dogs’ calls.
“People who are blind or have low vision live full, capable, and independent lives. Turning our experiences into a social media challenge completely misses the reality of what we can do, and the strength it takes to navigate the world without sight.”