Health Experts Warned Against Dangers of 'Superman Challenge' on TikTok

Health experts worldwide have warned against the new viral "Superman Challenge" on TikTok, noting that many youth have sustained multiple injuries due to the trend.

The challenge involves participants jumping into the joined arms of at least two rows of people while striking a pose inspired by Superman mid-air. The individual then bounces back and lands on the ground.

Despite the challenge being seemingly easy, some extreme versions involve throwing the individual backward or from heights.

Last December, for instance, a Japanese secondary school student suffered broken wrists and chipped teeth after he was thrown up to a height of about three meters by his friends while attempting the challenge. He later lost his balance and fell on the concrete floor, per the South China Morning Post.

Injuries in Other Countries

In Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, 17 children with ages ranging from 10 to 17 were hospitalized after suffering from broken bones, contusions, and bruises due to the "Superman Challenge."

In Romania, 20 children have been injured. In Israel, 19 students suffered severe injuries that required hospital treatment, per Independent.

Health experts are now sounding the alarm against the challenge and are urging parents to be vigilant. They also encourage parents to educate and supervise their children to prevent health risks.

"Challenges such as the 'Superman Challenge' expose them to unnecessary risks and, on occasions, to serious consequences for their health," Spanish Society of Paediatric Emergencies (SEUP) President Dr. Paula Vazquez said.

TikTok, the platform where the challenge went viral, has also implemented a warning message when users search for the "Superman Challenge." It noted that the challenge could be "dangerous" and "disturbing," according to Forbes.

Other Dangerous Online Trends

The "Superman Challenge" is not the latest in a string of online trends that health experts have warned against. In 2021, the "Blackout Challenge" encouraged participants to choke themselves until they lost consciousness. The trend was supposed to give survivors an adrenaline rush once they regained consciousness. The challenge has led to the death of young children, including those aged 12 or younger.

The "Skull Breaker Challenge" also caused serious injuries in teens worldwide. That trend involved participants kicking the legs out from under an unsuspecting person as they jumped, causing them to fall backward. The challenge has resulted in concussions, broken bones, and brain and spinal injuries.

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