The truth is, students today navigate a minefield of risks— many of them far less visible but dangerous in their own right. The California Poison Control system ( calpoison.org/back-to-school-safety) suggests there are five essential conversations parents should have with their children:Social media challenges and dares. The lure of instant fame has fueled dangerous viral challenges—from eating laundry pods to overdosing on over-the-counter medications. Glue, markers, and glitter may seem harmless, but small children sometimes put them in their mouths or eyes. While we continue to grapple with the larger national debates around guns and violence, let’s not overlook these everyday threats.