The Banana Peel Challenge is the latest viral trend where kids test how slippery a banana skin can be. The trend is tagged with the hashtag #BananaPeelChallenge. Emulating slapstick comedy aside, experts are concerned over the possible dire health consequences of trying to trip on purpose.
It All Started On Twitter
The Banana Peel Challenge was started by teenager Jason Oakes. He posted a video of himself trying out the slippery character of banana skins. "Yall I tried to see if banana peels were rlly slipper like in cartoons & I slipped & tried 2 catch myself w/ a cup," Oakes wrote on his Twitter post.
yall I tried to see if banana peels were rlly slipper like in cartoons & I slipped & tried 2 catch myself w/ a cup.. pic.twitter.com/6dvg5BlnHB
— jason oakes (@jaasonoakes) March 27, 2016
The trend started from there and teens from all over US posted videos of them trying it out. The original tweet posted on March 27 has been retweeted more than 100,000 and liked over 110,000 times. Below are some more examples of the challenge.
Incase y'all are wondering, yes banana peels are slippery pic.twitter.com/trKu7Zrfe4 — Lillie Crawford (@lilliecrawford_) March 27, 2016
i think my wrists are broken #bananapeelchallenge pic.twitter.com/7ePu1EokOy
— autumn (@aubhall123) March 28, 2016
Intentional Tripping Can Land Teens In The Emergency Room
While teens around the country find the challenge hilarious, health experts are warning parents and all adults that this could lead to serious injuries. In some cases, it could lead to lifelong disabilities and death.
"Banana peels have the potential to become the next hoverboards," Dr. Bridget Dowd from New York Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center told CBS News. According to Dowd, banana peels can actually result in increased morbidity and mortality -- some of which are developed from "concussions, head trauma, fractures and potential long-term disability."
