16-05-2025
Dark secret behind this ‘harmless' smile
The Planking Challenge: Involved participants lying face down, with arms to their sides in bizarre and risky locations for comedic effect. A 20-year-old Aussie died falling from a seventh-floor balcony in 2011, and there were reports of numerous fatal accidents due to people attempting to plank on moving cars. Picture: Instagram
The Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge: Using a shot glass, plastic bottle, or similar object to create a suction effect on the lips in an attempt to achieve fuller, plumper lip, to imitate Jenner's full pout. The suction methods led to injuries including severe swelling, bruising, blisters and even nerve damage. Picture: Instagram
The Tide Pod Challenge gained widespread attention in 2018 when teens started biting into or attempting to eat a colourful, detergent-filled laundry pod despite clearly being labelled as toxic. There were over 10,500 reports of hospitalisation from poisoning. Picture: YouTube
The Bird Box Challenge: inspired by the success of the Netflix film starring Sandra Bullock, players attempted everyday tasks while blindfolded, whether it was walking around, or performing household chores - and the most reckless act that led to various serious injuries such as a skull fracture, driving a car. Picture: YouTube
Bottle Cap Challenge: this is probably a trend you still see on your feed every now and again, but it gained immense popularity in 2019, when TikTokers all over the world performed martial arts-style kicks to remove the cap from a bottle, making sure the bottle doesn't tip over. While it may seem harmless, it resulted in broken bones, neck and spine injuries and head trauma. Picture: TikTok
The Pee Your Pants Challenge: participants intentionally urinate in their clothes while recording themselves, usually in a public or semipublic setting. Experts warned it would result in UTIs, rashes and dehydration. Picture: TikTok
