The social media app has been known for its viral challenges, which sometimes become dangerous trends.
Young people will always be attracted to challenges and trends, especially when "a bit dangerous and risky," said Pamela Rutledge, Ph.D., a media psychologist based in Newport Beach, California.
Thus, viral TikTok challenges are such a hit with teens, especially when they want to prove something, want to be labeled as cool, or are under peer pressure. However, biologically, it is also a part of their brain development.
"Adolescents are in a stage of their development where peer relationships and feedback is very important to them. They are also dealing with more complex social interactions at a time when their prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for higher-level thinking, decision-making, and impulse control) is not yet fully developed. This combination of high need for positive social feedback and not yet fully developed impulse control make them more likely to engage in these kinds of challenges," clinical psychologist and ambassador to Qustodio, Dr. Nicole Beurkens, informed Fox News.
She continued by saying that young people usually also fail to factor in the risks and consequences of the challenges they want to complete. This is a perfect explanation of what other experts say about teens often making questionable and illogical decisions during their formative years.
The US has broken family values
Thus, they warn parents about the hype and the danger that viral TikTok challenges bring, encouraging them to ensure they know what their children and teens are watching or consuming from social media.
Here are the seven most dangerous viral TikTok challenges parents need to protect their teens from, as listed by Fox 10 Phoenix.
1. Devious Lick
The viral videos under this challenge involve stolen safety signages, smashed floor tiles, and vandalized bathrooms. "Lick" is a slang word for theft, and in this challenge, teens are encouraged to show off by recording themselves stealing or damaging school property.
2. 'Borg' Drinking challenge
"Borg" is a drink mixture of alcohol, electrolytes, caffeinated flavoring, and water in a one-gallon jug. The drink was reported to keep the drinkers hydrated while drinking, slow the intoxication process, and lessen the possibility of the dreaded hangover.
However, it was discovered to be dangerous when it had the opposite effect on almost 30 University of Massachusetts Amherst students brought to the hospital for binge drinking.
3. Benadryl Challenge
This challenge calls for excessive consumption of Benadryl, an antihistamine used for treating colds and allergies, to have that hallucinogenic high. Parents are being warned as the drug, when abused, can cause heart problems, seizures, comas, and death. One teenager has already died because of the challenge in 2020, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report.
Blackout Challenge
Also known as the "Choking" or "Pass-Out" Challenge, this trend encourages kids and teens alike to asphyxiate to the point of temporary unconsciousness. Though this isn't a new trend, as it has been around since 17 years ago, the challenge has resurfaced in TikTok and has caused the deaths of more or less 20 young people in the past months.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 82 deaths linked to this highly-dangerous challenge from 1995 to 2008.
5. 'Dragon's Breath' Challenge
This challenge encouraged kids and teens to eat candies coated in liquid nitrogen called "Dragon's Breath." It is a snack that became famous on TikTok due to the vapor fumes it releases when eaten.
Liquid nitrogen is not naturally dangerous when used in food. However, the danger lies when it is ingested improperly, like what happened to over 20 Indonesian children hospitalized last January for doing the challenge and got skin burns, stomach aches, and food poisoning.
6. Orbeez Shooting Challenge
The trend encourages teens to use toy guns to fire gel pellets at bystanders, and though the pellets are soft, they can still cause injury, especially when frozen. A boy had red welts forming after he was shot with the pellets.
A more serious concern lies in the possibility of teens getting arrested for the act, like the several teens detained already all over the country.
7. Beezin' Challenge
This challenge encourages teens to rub Burt's Bee's famous lip balm product onto their eyelids before going out for the night, as the menthol or peppermint in the balm enhances alertness or heightens one's "buzz." However, this can be highly dangerous as it can cause eye inflammation, irritation, milia, and even vision loss.
The fad has led the brand's management to release a statement stating that there are many "natural things" that should not go in the eyes, and their lip balm is one of those.
Related article: Teen Warns Against Doing TikTok Challenges After She Continues To Suffer From a Broken Neck
