So, I've got to give a big shout out to our friends over at NBC6 for bringing attention to these 5 TikTok Challenges that parents need to be aware of...
If you listen to the DJ Laz Morning Show with KimmyB then you know we live for a good Florida Man/Woman Story and a few weeks ago we reported on 2 Broward County teens who were arrested after participating in the "Orbeez Challenge" for TikTok Likes.
Basically these kids, both 16yo, were arrested for shooting Orbeez pellets at people from a moving car. They ended up targeting multiple victims which included an elderly man. Obviously this is a STUPID and Dangerous prank, but unfortunately "Challenges" like this are flooding social media sites and TikTok in particular...
Like I said, our friends at NBC6 laid out 5 popular TikTok Challenges that target kids and are leading to injury, sickness, incarceration, and even death.
They include the "Orbeez Challenge" listed above along with these other 4:
-The "How Far Can You Dig" Challenge which is basically exactly what it sounds like. A challenge to dig the deepest possible hole you can during your next trip to the beach. Unfortunately this particular challenge is a huge hazard to other unsuspecting beachgoers trying to enjoy a nice walk or run on the beach and also to local wildlife life sea turtles who unknowingly stumble upon these pits and fall in.
Check out this post from the Marco Island Police Dept...
Another "challenge" to be on the lookout for...
-The Blackout Challenge. This challenge has actually been around for decades in one form or the other but resurfaced recently on TikTok and has led to the death of multiple children. The "Blackout Challenge" basically encourages kids to hold their breath or strangulate themselves until they pass out, promising a "euphoric" feeling as a result. TikTok is currently being sued by the parents of two children who died as a result of their participation in the "Blackout Challenge". The children were both under the age of 10. The social Media site has removed and blocked the hashtags related to this "challenge", however parents are worried that it will simply reappear under a different name.
There's also THIS One...that could get your kids in some serious trouble with your neighbors and you with the HOA board...
-The "Kick The Door" challenge...which is EXACTLY what you think it is. Walk up to random peoples doors and give 'em a good KICK! Like seriously...why? Not to mention that in 2022 this could go so WRONG...so FAST!!! In fact, I see multiple "Florida Man/Woman" headlines coming out of the "Kick the Door" challenge and none of them end well for the kid kicking the door...
And Challenge #5 might just be the most ridiculous of them all...and that's saying something!!!
-The "Nasal Spray Tan" Challenge...and yes it's just as stupid as it sounds, especially since its lead to devastating results. Basically, a video was posted to TikTok claiming that nasal spray could tan your skin and of course it went freaking viral. Unfortunately, many of the. young women who participated in the trend experienced nausea, stomach aches, and even MELANOMA people. Yes, Im talking about the deadliest for of Skin Cancer...all from a damn TikTok Challenge. Dermatologists warned that since the sprays were not FDA approved, the public should stop using them IMMEDIATELY. I mean, is using self-tanner really that difficult...have we gotten so lazy that we'd rather snort a mystery spray with the hopes of getting a tan than oh say going outside and actually enjoying some fun in the sun (with sunscreen of course)...like I Can NOT!!!
As parents we know you have enough to worry about without social media throwing these unnecessary wrenches into the mix, but we figured its better to be frustrated and aware than naive and in the dark...
Just know this could be your kid!!!