ENOUGH WITH THE FOOLISHNESS, YOUNGSTERS
The challenges are silly, dangerous and can be fatal
IHONESTLY think that I’m on the verge of losing whatever little faith and hope I have left in the current generation of young adults. It is either that, or perhaps, it is time that I stop reading about and watching ridiculous “challenges” being performed for the sake of one’s 15 seconds of fame.
Earlier this year, a number of teenagers became obsessed with the online “Tide Pod Challenge”, where they would eat (yes, I kid you not) detergent capsules live on camera.
These capsules, meant to be put in the washing machine, are ingested by immature, daft youngsters, who could not care less about the possibly fatal consequences of their actions. Many have ended up in hospitals after taking part in the challenge, but it did not stop hordes of others from following suit.
Soon after, it was the “Condom Challenge” that took the Internet by storm. Teenagers all over the world simply had to record themselves as they snort condoms (again, I kid you not) through their nostrils and pulling them out through their throats. They did not care about the likelihood of the rubber causing an anaphylactic shock, or risk it getting stuck in their nasal cavity, or worse still, choking to death. All this stupidity for a little attention.
Just when I thought that we’ve heard enough, in comes the “Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge” — another social media fad that causes nothing but danger to anyone attempting it. It is basically to artificially plump one’s lips to look like those of Hollywood celebrity Kylie Jenner. Many young girls, even as young as 13, would place their lips into a shot glass (or anything similar shaped) and suck the air out of it. The process would cause significant pain and bruising, and there is even the risk of permanent scarring and disfigurement if done repeatedly.
Recently, social media has been going abuzz with yet another challenge — popularly dubbed the “Keke Challenge”.
Youngsters would get out of the front passenger seat while the car is still moving, and proceed to dance alongside it on the road while the driver records the entire footage while driving.
There have been a number of cases where people were seriously injured after either falling down or getting hit by other cars. Some have allegedly been robbed because they were easy targets.
To make matters worse, some local celebrities have also irresponsibly attempted the Keke Challenge and posted it on their social media platforms, which only encouraged their followers to do the same.
Thankfully, the Road Transport Department (RTD) and police have spoken up about this and issued a warning to those who plan to take part in this challenge. Those caught breaking the law will be slapped with a hefty fine.
Please, enough already.
They say that with every generation, there would be a growth in intelligence. I have seen many instances where this has been proven true, but now I am beginning to have doubts.
Where have we gone wrong in raising our children right? Where have we gone wrong in teaching our children good morals and conduct? Where have we gone wrong in equipping our children with level-headed thoughts and judgments?
I really wish I knew the answers to these questions. It is high time that we stopped acting foolishly. It is one thing to be childish, and stamp your feet and cry when you do not get what you want. Your tears are not going hurt anyone, so go right ahead and do as you please if it makes you happy.
It is a different matter altogether when you act immaturely and commit dangerous acts just to get some attention. Your actions might end up killing you, so, perhaps, you might want to think twice before it is too late.
It is not worth risking your life for the sake of trivial fads like these. Do yourself and your parents proud by focusing on your education now and securing a good job in future.
I can assure you that the 15 seconds of fame you might get from completing one of these silly challenges now will be nothing to be proud of in future.
It is high time that we stopped acting foolishly. It is one thing to be childish, and stamp your feet and cry when you do not get what you want. Your tears are not going hurt anyone, so go right ahead and do as you please if it makes you happy.