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TikTok has long been seen as a breeding ground for dumb stunts, but some challenges are truly hazardous to one’s health. A recent survey found that the blackout challenge is the deadliest of all — killing over 100 people to date.
The somber study was conducted by the California-based personal injury firm Omega Law Group, which set out to determine how young people are adversely affected by social media use.
An analysis of the January 2025 DataReportal study data found that 39% of Instagram users and 32% of TikTok users were between the ages of 13 and 24.
This is problematic given that teens’ prefrontal cortexes are not fully developed, making them more susceptible to peer pressure and suggestion — the whole gist of the dangerous challenges that proliferate on social media.
“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.”
The Blackout Challenge
Popular among 10 to 14-year-olds, this sinister challenge involves depriving oneself of oxygen in a bid to attain a euphoric state of mind.
Omega Law dubbed the stunt “extremely dangerous,” resulting in complications ranging from bloodshot eyes to brain damage and death.
So far, a staggering 100 people have died as a result of partaking in the harebrained pursuit, according to the law firm. One of the most recent victims was a 12-year-old UK boy named Sebastian, who lost his life in July after participating in the asphyxiation game.
The Tide Pod challenge
While TikTok is known for hare-brained feats of eating, few compare to the Tide Pod challenge, in which thrill-seekers chomp laundry detergent capsules for social media clout.
The challenge, which is also popular among tweens and early teens, can cause a range of symptoms, including chemical burns, seizures, breathing difficulties and poisoning — the latter complication accounted for over 71% of cases.
“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 wrote.
Tide Pod consumption had become so prevalent that New York lawmakers introduced a bill in 2018 to ban the production and sale of candy-esque liquid detergent packets to deter teens and children from eating them.
The Milk Crate Challenge
First gaining traction in 2021, the Milk Crate challenge seems basic enough — traverse a precarious pyramid of milk crates as if ascending a collapsible Mt. Kilimanjaro.
However, like a super-sized Jenga, this idiotic practice has resulted in some epic spills, accounting for 8,107 emergency-room treated injuries during 2020-21.
Common injuries sustained during this ridiculous pastime, which is most popular among 15-18 year olds, include concussions, broken bones, and even paralysis in some cases.
“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%),” Omega Law wrote.
The Fire Challenge
This challenge is lit — and not in the good way. Popular among 10-14-year-olds, The Fire Challenge involves basting one’s body with small amounts of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, and then setting oneself alight before extinguishing the blaze with water right after.
Go figure: This click-based self-immolation can result in injuries ranging from burns to infections and even death.
In 2023, an Arizona teen sustained burns on over half his body following a backfired attempt at the fireball challenge, in which youngsters try and ignite rubbing alcohol to create a makeshift Molotov cocktail.
The Benadryl Challenge
This insidious stunt involves taking between 12–14 Benadryl tablets — six times the recommended dose — to induce hallucinations and then filming the reactions.
Unfortunately, mainlining this antihistamine can cause complications, including seizures, heart problems, coma and even death.
According to Omega, the practice has resulted in the hospitalization of many young people. Meanwhile, in 2023, a 13-year-old Ohio boy, Jacob Stevens, died after partaking in the stunt, prompting TikTok to release a statement.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family,” reps for the social media site told The Post at the time. “At TikTok, we strictly prohibit and remove content that promotes dangerous behavior with the safety of our community as a priority.”
They added, “We have never seen this type of content trend on our platform and have blocked searches for years to help discourage copycat behavior.”
