Social media has given rise to many strange trends over the years – from 'rawdogging boredom' to the viral 'turtle rabbit' choreography.
While most trends are harmless fun, experts have raised concerns about others – including some that have proved deadly.
In a new report, the Omega Law Group has highlighted five of the most dangerous trends that have swept social media in recent years.
Topping the list is the Blackout Challenge, which went viral online back in 2022.
This terrifying fad saw youngsters intentionally losing consciousness in the quest to reach a euphoric state.
According to Omega Law Group's report, over 100 people have died after undertaking this challenge.
'Social media challenge videos often encourage users to mimic trending stunts they've seen online and then share their version for public attention,' the team explained in the report.
'Yet many stunts are much more dangerous than the relatively well–known "ice–bucket challenge", with some – such as the following examples – crossing into seriously risky and sometimes life–threatening territory.'
1. The Blackout Challenge
The Blackout Challenge first circulated back in 2022, and was mostly attempted by 10–14–year–olds, according to the law firm.
Participants would intentionally deny themselves oxygen in the hopes of passing out and reaching a brief elated state.
This challenge is extremely dangerous, with risks including bloodshot eyes, severe headaches, damage to neck tissue and blood vessels, brain damage, and in extreme cases, death.
'Over 100 people have died after undertaking this challenge (at least, that's the official number – the real figure may be much higher),' Omega Law Group said.
2. The Tide Pod Challenge
The Tide Pod Challenge reached its peak popularity in 2018, and saw children eating or biting into laundry pods.
A number of the alarming clips were posted to social media, with YouTube even removing Tide Pod Challenge videos because they encouraged 'dangerous activities'.
| Challenge | Injuries | Findings |
|---|---|---|
| The Blackout Challenge | Bloodshot eyes, headaches, tissue and brain damage, death | At least 100 fatalities |
| Tide Pod Challenge | Chemical burns, seizures, vomiting, contact dermatitis, poisoning, vision issues | 35,000 visits to A&E |
| Milk Crate Challenge | Concussions, bruises/cuts, dislocations, paralysis | 8,107 injuries treated in A&E |
| Fire Challenge | Infections, respiratory damage, severe burns | Multiple participants sustained burns on 45-50% of their body |
| Benadryl Challenge | Seizures, breathing difficulties, heart palpitations, coma, death | 1 reported fatality |
The challenge was associated with a range of injuries, including chemical burns, vomiting, poisoning and contact dermatitis.
'Between 2016 and 2020, study data confirms 35,000, emergency room visits (after which hospitalization was required in 12.5% of cases) for under–18 Tide Pod Challenge participants,' Omega Law Group said.
3. The Milk Crate Challenge
In 2020, a trend dubbed the 'Milk Crate Challenge' swept social media – mostly attracting 15–18–year–olds.
Participants would stack milk crates into pyramids and attempt to climb them, as if they were a flight of stairs.
From 2020–2021, the trend resulted in 8,107 emergency–room treated injuries – including concussions, bruises and scrapes, broken bones, and even spinal cord injuries/paralysis, according to Omega Law Group.
'In the majority of cases, injuries are caused by falling off the crates (32%), hitting the crates without falling (23%), or tripping over the crates (12.9%),' it explained.
4. The Fire Challenge
Most popular among 10–14–year–olds, the Fire Challenge involved children setting themselves alight, after pouring hand sanitiser on their body.
'It's not difficult to imagine some of the more serious permutations of this dangerous challenge,' Omega Law Group said.
Sadly, multiple participants sustained burns on 45–50 per cent of their body, while others experienced respiratory damage and infections.
5. The Benadryl Challenge
Finally, the 'Benadryl Challenge' rounds at the list, having trended on social media in 2023.
This horrendous craze encouraged users to swallow a dangerous amount of antihistamine medication – with some participants consuming up to 14 tablets at a time.
While those taking part were led to believe that this could induce hallucinations, many experienced far worse side effects – including heart problems, seizures, and breathing difficulties.
'In recent years, hospitals have reported spikes in emergency room visits due to social media stunts, with pediatric departments overwhelmed, and some children's hospitals reporting a 20–30% increase in injuries directly caused by 'challenge' stunt mimicry,' Omega Law Group added.
'Study data tells us that "The Benadryl Challenge" alone has led to the hospitalization of many young people, with at least one reported teen death linked to the stunt.'
