4 days ago
Mum Breaks Spine Doing Stiletto Trend: What Are The Worst Challenges In Internet's History?
Kiki challenge, Tide Pod challenge, skull breaker challenge... what are the worst (most dangerous) challenges to exist on the Internet?
Internet challenges come with their own set of challenges. The desire to go viral or simply stay in tune with the trend drives a ton of engagement online. Your social media apps may love the idea of traffic pumping into their platforms with heightened likes and shares during a viral challenge, but the well-being of an individual goes for a toss when potentially dangerous trends bring an unhealthy amount of FOMO in their digital spheres. Take 32-year-old Mariana Barutkina, an influencer mom, for instance.
Barutkina, who hails from Russia, recently tried her hand (read: leg) on recreating Nicki Minaj's 12-year-old pose that the folks on the Internet call a 'Stiletto" challenge. For the unversed, this viral trend involves balancing in high-heeled stilettos on unusual objects or in odd locations, such as soda cans, stools, boxes, ladders, dumbbells, or even water fountains. You get the idea.
The new mom's attempt at ticking 'stiletto challenge" off her list, however, did not end well. Balancing on a pan and baby formula on her kitchen countertop, Barutkina's recreation lasted for a few seconds before panic was plastered all over her face.
This, unfortunately, wasn't the only Internet challenge that has caused an injury to an excited participant.
Kiki Challenge
Kiki, do you love me? Remember the glorious days of the Internet when citizens of Earth were casually ditching their moving cars to perform a dance step?
With Drake's 'In My Feelings" blaring from car speakers, individuals jumped out of moving vehicles, performed dance moves beside them, and hopped back in to complete a viral challenge. Unsurprisingly, this risky trend resulted in injuries.
Cops around the world issued warnings against recreating the challenge that put traffic safety in jeopardy and caused accidents worldwide.
Not just a risk for you but your act can put life of others at risk too. Desist from public nuisance or face the music ! #DanceYourWayToSafety #InMySafetyFeelingsChallenge — मुंबई पोलीस – Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) July 26, 2018
Tide Pod
What could possibly go wrong after ingesting a detergent capsule? The Internet coined it the 'Tide Pod challenge", and it simply involved people, mostly kids, biting into the 'forbidden fruit" and spewing detergent from their mouths.
Many who tried their hands on this hazardous challenge experienced diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. There were deaths reported, too, a report in NBC dated 2018 revealed.
Cockroach On Face
This might not particularly be a dangerous Internet challenge on the face, but hey, that's a cockroach on the face nonetheless.
Alex Aung kicked off a viral challenge on Facebook, daring people to place a live cockroach on their face and snap a selfie. He posted a photo of himself doing it and encouraged others to join in and spread the challenge.
Skull Breaker Challenge
This challenge was not only cruel but also highly dangerous.
In this unusual challenge, three individuals line up side by side. The person in the centre jumps, while the two on either side kick the jumper's leg, causing them to fall. The goal of this risky stunt is to make the jumper land heavily on their back, potentially leading to serious head injuries.
Just Internet things, right?
The #skullbreakerchallenge which is currently trending on #tiktok is fatal. Please pay attention to our kids. — Nicole Wong 王晓庭 (@nicolewong89) February 14, 2020
Parents, understandably, grew concerned and urged the younger demographic to put a full stop to harming their friends and loved ones for a few chuckles. Commenting on the hazards of the challenge, one X user wrote: 'These Dumb kids and the skull breaker challenge. They are unable to see the dangers of this prank. Foolish generation they can't think at all. Why would anyone want to hurt their friend. They are being tricked by evil spirits."
Outlet Challenge
You already know where this is going. Don't do?
top videos
View all
The 'outlet challenge" involved participants partially inserting a phone charger into a wall socket and placing a coin in the gap to create sparks.
Fire departments in the US were summoned in separate instances when they were informed about scorched outlets in houses and high schools, where kids thought it was a wise idea to make a coin contact an electrical outlet.
About the Author
News Desk
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More
Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
internet challenge
view comments
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
August 07, 2025, 12:05 IST
News explainers Mum Breaks Spine Doing Stiletto Trend: What Are The Worst Challenges In Internet's History?
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
