Authorities and experts have issued warnings to parents regarding a number of potentially dangerous viral challenges circulating on social media platforms, especially TikTok, that could put children and teenagers at risk if replicated recklessly.

Recent surveys reveal alarming statistics that close to 42% of children today spend over 4 hours daily glued to their smartphones. This excessive screen time makes them far more vulnerable to coming across inappropriate and hazardous content online, including risky viral challenges.

Tiktok rapidly gained popularity

While TikTok rapidly gained popularity as an app for creating and sharing entertaining short videos, the emergence of dangerous do-it-yourself challenges on the platform has led to growing concerns. Experts say that what may have started out as a venue for harmless pranks and fun has evolved into something more alarming where young users are now engaging in downright dangerous activities and filming themselves, often without realizing the consequences.

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Authorities have specifically identified certain perilous social media challenges that parents should be vigilant about:

Borg Challenge

This challenge involves mixing a gallon jug containing water, vodka, caffeinated flavorings like Gatorade, and electrolyte powders. It is promoted online as a way to create an alcoholic drink that can reduce hangovers, due to the added electrolytes and water. However, experts warn that the large servings can lead to binge drinking and alcohol poisoning, especially amongst younger kids.

Mouth Taping Challenge

Participants in this odd challenge use tape to seal their lips together before going to sleep, claiming that it stops mouth breathing and helps enhance sleep quality. However, doctors strongly advise against this as covering the mouth can obstruct oxygen flow leading to suffocation. Other risks include skin irritation, disrupted sleep cycles, and choking hazards, especially for those with breathing issues or sleep apnea.

Blackout Challenge

One of the most concerning trends involves the “blackout challenge” which encourages participants to choke themselves using household items like belts, purse strings, or even bare hands - until they pass out. The goal is to induce a brief high or euphoric feeling upon regaining consciousness. Some even film the process and share on social media, which experts say further motivates and pressures others to replicate the same. This highly dangerous act risks injury, brain damage, and even death in extreme cases.

Inhaling Toxic Fumes

Challenges like the “chroming challenge” entail inhaling fumes from toxic household products like solvents, propellants, and aerosol sprays to induce a quick high. However, health experts strongly caution against this, citing how it can have severe adverse effects including seizures, organ failure, choking, suffocation, coma and death in the worst cases.

Swallowing Magnets

Young kids are also using tiny magnetic balls, commonly found in children’s toys, as fake tongue or lip piercings and posting videos online. Doctors warn that accidentally swallowing these high-powered magnets can cause them to attach inside the body, twisting intestines or obstructing blood flow, often requiring urgent surgical intervention.

Overdosing on Medicines

A disturbing trend seen is challenges that encourage intentionally overdosing on common medicines like Benadryl, NyQuil or other antihistamines to trigger hallucinations. Health professionals warn that this could lead to hospitalization with heart problems, seizures, coma or even fatalities due to substance abuse.

Dangerous Driving

Challenges like the “Cha Cha Slide” challenge prompt reckless driving behaviors like quickly swerving left-right and sharp turns in sync with a song played loudly; while fun and thrill-inducing, it can also lead to catastrophic accidents, injuries and deaths.

Deodorant Spray Challenge

There is also the deodorant spray challenge where teens spray the aerosol product directly on their skin to induce a freezing, burning sensation; this can cause severe skin damage requiring plastic surgery or prolonged recovery.

Experts believe the pressure to gain popularity and conform on social media can adversely affect judgment in young people who then overlook the trauma or health risks associated with such challenges. Also, increased device usage and screen time makes children far more exposed to inappropriate and hazardous online content. Hence, parents are advised to actively monitor their child’s online activities and educate them about the dangerous repercussions of these viral social media challenges.

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