Dangerous viral video challenge making news

At least two kids badly burned this summer in ‘fire challenge’

Teens, don’t fall for the viral “challenges” on YouTube or social media.

In fact, the latest viral challenge has left two kids in the hospital with severe burns.

According to a report in USA Today, during the “fire challenge,” kids pour rubbing alcohol on themselves and then light it on fire. They then rush to put the fire out, all while filming the experience. USA Today notes, “because rubbing is a thin liquid, it usually burns quickly and sometimes does no harm.”

But what in the world are these kids thinking? It is never a good idea to douse one’s body with a liquid, and then light the liquid on fire. Let’s give that some thought. To do this challenge, one must actively light one’s own body on fire.

What an incredibly sickening, bad idea.

USA Today reports that the “fire challenge” has been around since at least 2012, and several children and teens have been severely burned in the process.

A 12-year-old girl in Detroit and a 12-year-old boy in Spartanburg, Ga., suffered serious burns this summer trying the challenge, USA Today notes.

A study in the National Institutes of Health archives examined 50 of these YouTube videos. In 13 of those 50, participants included postburn footage, demonstrating burn wounds of various locations, sizes and severity. However, the study noted that “less severe burns may be posted online while larger burns are not, diminishing perceived risk and encouraging this behavior.”

The study noted that “The lure of a challenge and potential for a shocking video to ‘go viral’ might entice people to mimic this risky behavior.”

Parents, it’s worth having a talk with your kids. Encourage them not to take such dangerous risks.

And kids. Seriously. Think about the dangers of such videos, and just stay away from them. A few seconds of viral fame isn’t worth the risk of a lifetime of scars and injuries.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS OR NOT?