A Baoding woman startled her sleeping son—who was watching a horror film—at its most tense moment, causing him visible shock upon seeing her appear on screen.

Social Context

Prank culture among Chinese parents is trending on short-video platforms, yet pediatricians caution against fear-based humor before age 10. The National Center for Children’s Health advises aligning entertainment timing with circadian rhythms to prevent sleep disruption and anxiety triggers.

Safety Tip

Avoid jump-scare pranks during screen time—especially with suspenseful content—as they may induce acute stress responses in developing nervous systems.