The internet not only has made our lives easier, but it also made us connected to each other worldwide. Without it, sharing and storing information and data would be difficult, and many of the things we now enjoy, such as memes, social media, and e-commerce platforms, wouldn't exist.
Nevertheless, the internet also has its detriments. TikTok, for instance, has made many people famous worldwide as they dared to do new and possibly dangerous things in front of the camera, leading to the creation of dangerous TikTok trends.
Some people, especially teenagers and young adults, take things too far - instead of listening to common sense, they ignore it and participate in something that could kill them in the name of fun or popularity.
According to Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, teenagers and young adults participate in these potentially fatal challenges due to their wish to become famous or online and/or offline peer pressure.
Here are some of the TikTok challenges and trends that led to the deaths of their participants.
Kia Challenge
Let's start with the most recent of the bunch. You may have heard about the Kia Challenge, wherein participants would carjack Kia or Hyundai cars using a USB cable to turn their ignition on after they dismantle their key slot.
Participants pick cars that still use key slots to lock and unlock cars as they lack a factory-installed anti-theft device called an immobilizer.
Successfully completing the procedure disables the car's steering lock, allowing the participants to drive the vehicle without the owner's consent.
However, this internet challenge ended in tragedy and infamy for a group of six teenagers that were involved in a car crash on Route 33, Buffalo, on Oct. 24, after successfully carjacking a Kia vehicle.
Of the six that participated in the challenge, four died, while one had injuries severe enough to warrant hospitalization. The remaining member, a 16-year-old and the driver of the group, got out of the incident with only relatively minor injuries, per Gizmodo.
Authorities have charged the 16-year-old with third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
Fractal Wood Burning
Not all TikTok trends were stunts that could prove fatal. Fractal wood burning is a creative technique that seems simple. However, it's this simplicity that makes it lethal if done haphazardly.
The technique calls for the use of a high-voltage electrical current and a piece of wood soaked in a chemical solution to burn tree-like patterns into it, per Dexerto.
The technique calls for the use of a high-voltage electrical current and a piece of wood soaked in a chemical solution to burn tree-like patterns into it, per Dexerto.
Although the technique attracted thousands to attempt it, it took the lives of two people in Wisconsin who were trying it out for themselves, per the Marathon County Sheriff's office.
"[Fractal wood burning] is highly dangerous and should only be done by trained professionals," authorities explained.
Blackout Challenge
At this point, you probably have heard of the infamous Blackout challenge. For those unaware, the challenge involves participants suffocating themselves or holding their breath long enough for them to pass out.
Unfortunately, cutting the brain's supply of oxygen can and will lead to fatalities - at least five children have died from participating in the challenge, with Scottish teenager Leon Brown, aged 14, possibly becoming the challenge's latest reported victim, per Australia's 7 News.
"My Leon thought he would be the one to try it first [among his friends,] said Lauryn Keating, Leon's mother. "He and his friends probably thought it was a laugh and a joke. It went horribly wrong."
Angel of Death Challenge
Tempting fate at more than 65 mph a la "Final Destination" for internet points and popularity is the premise behind the Angel of Death Challenge.
The challenge is as simple as it is deadly. Participants, usually teenagers, are challenged to jump in front of moving trucks and stay there in the hopes that the driver manages to stop the truck before a fatal collision occurs.
Unfortunately, the challenge claimed the lives of two Indonesian teenagers when they, along with 14 other kids, ran in front of a speeding truck to complete the challenge, per Sportskeeda.
To date, four children, including said two from Indonesia, have lost their lives while participating in the challenge.
Benadryl Challenge
Last but not least is the Benadryl challenge that claimed the life of a 15-year-old teenager.
Healthline mentioned in its report that the challenge has participants ingest dangerous amounts of Benadryl doses until they hallucinate. However, too much of the antihistamine can lead to fatalities - and it did.
A 15-year-old Oklahoma teenager, Chloe Marie Philips, died after participating in the challenge for a TikTok video, per the Daily Mail.
Another teenager from Metro, Atlanta, that participated in the challenge managed to survive despite taking overdosing on Benadryl tablets on the night of Memorial Day, according to Health.com.
Her parents described the experience of seeing her under the influence as "scary," with her speaking in fractured sentences, experiencing hallucinations, and having a resting heart rate of 199.
Luckily, she was able to receive proper medical treatment. Nevertheless, the challenge is not to be attempted by anyone.
