TikTok, launched in 2016 but only becoming popular globally around 2018, is a video sharing social media app that allows users to create and share short videos with music and effects. Within just a few years of launch, TikTok has experienced meteoric growth, with over 1 billion monthly active users as of 2023.
A key part of TikTok’s popularity has been viral challenges, where users recreate a dance, stunt, or meme. These challenges are facilitated by TikTok’s duet and stitch features that allow users to riff off existing videos. Some of the most popular early challenges included the #InMyFeelingsChallenge in 2018 to Drake’s song and the #MannequinChallenge in 2016 involving users freezing in creative poses like mannequins.
As TikTok has grown, challenges have become an embedded part of the platform and culture, providing opportunities for users to gain huge audiences and go viral essentially overnight. However, some challenges have strayed into dangerous or illegal territory, raising concerns.
Harmful Challenges
Some of the most concerning TikTok challenges encourage dangerous or harmful behavior. For example, the Tide Pod challenge that emerged in early 2018 encouraged people to bite into Tide Pods laundry detergent packets. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, there were 39 reported cases of teenagers intentionally ingesting Tide Pods in the first 15 days of 2018, up from 53 cases in all of 2017 (source).
Another dangerous challenge is the skullbreaker challenge, which involves two people kicking the legs out from under a third person who jumps in the air, causing them to fall backwards and hit their head on the ground. This has led to serious injuries for some participants (source). The penny challenge encouraged people to plug part of a phone charger into the wall and then touch the exposed prongs with a penny, creating a dangerous electrical circuit (source).
One of the most infamous challenges was the fire challenge, which involved people setting themselves on fire on video. This led to serious burns and injuries. According to one burn care specialist, the fire challenge resulted in 12 to 16 admissions per month to a single burn unit in Detroit (source).
Devious Licks & Vandalism
One concerning TikTok trend that emerged in Fall 2021 was the “devious licks” challenge, which encouraged students to vandalize or steal from their schools. The trend started with students posting videos of minor thefts like taking a sign or stealing supplies from classrooms. But it quickly escalated to students destroying soap dispensers, mirrors, sinks and toilets in school bathrooms.
According to an article on sj-r.com, the devious licks trend led to vandalism and thefts at schools across central Illinois (Steven Spearie, 2021). Police departments warned students that participating in the challenge could lead to serious consequences like felony charges. One district superintendent estimated thousands of dollars in damages from just one high school. With students posting evidence online, schools were able to identify and punish many of the offenders. Still, the trend caused costly damage and major disruptions for affected schools.
The devious licks challenge is one example of how a viral TikTok trend can encourage illegal and destructive behavior among teens. While some participants may see it as harmless fun, the vandalism can have serious repercussions for both schools and students.
Blackout Challenge
The “blackout challenge” on TikTok encourages users to choke themselves until they pass out. This dangerous viral trend has been linked to multiple child deaths. Participants attempt to achieve temporary unconsciousness by cutting off oxygen to their brains, often by wrapping cords or belts around their necks.
According to a Bloomberg article, at least 15 children have died from participating in the blackout challenge since it first emerged on social media around 2008. In 2021 alone, the deaths of three preteens were associated with the challenge.
In one tragic example covered by The Independent, a 12-year-old Colorado boy was found unconscious after apparently trying the challenge while home alone. He spent 19 days on life support before being declared brain dead. Other children have required CPR or hospitalization after losing consciousness from attempting the challenge.
Experts warn that the blackout challenge poses a high risk of injury or death. Children attempting it can die of asphyxiation or suffer permanent brain damage from oxygen deprivation. Many experts criticize TikTok for not doing enough to crack down on promotion of the deadly challenge.
Misinformation
TikTok has faced criticism for allowing the spread of misinformation through viral challenges and trends. One example is the conspiracy theories related to the sinking of the Titanic that circulated in 2022. A TikTok user’s experiment seemingly confirmed the theory that the Titanic could not have split apart when sinking, leading many to claim the historical record was false (Source). While likely unintentional, the viral TikTok videos gave credence to conspiracy claims not backed by scientific evidence.
Other concerning trends include the spread of false information on topics like COVID-19, politics, and climate change. Critics argue the platform’s algorithms can quickly amplify misinformation presented in an engaging, short-form video format. However, TikTok maintains that misinformation is quickly removed and that its recommendations aim to provide a “positive and inclusive” experience.
Mental Health Concerns
TikTok’s algorithm and focus on gaining views and likes can negatively impact mental health, especially for teenagers and young adults. The pressure to create viral content has led some users to engage in dangerous viral challenges and stunts. According to one study, the more time spent on TikTok and social media correlates with increased mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
The constant comparisons and carefully curated content on TikTok also harms body image and self-esteem. Young people, in particular, feel pressure to obtain an unrealistic or unobtainable standard of beauty and lifestyle. According to experts, the app provides “endless emotional nudges” through its algorithm to keep users scrolling for hours, which can be detrimental to mental wellbeing.
While TikTok can provide entertainment and community, its potential impacts on vulnerable populations require further study and consideration. Promoting safe challenges, limiting screen time, and prioritizing offline connections could help mitigate some of these concerns.
Predatory Challenges
One of the most concerning aspects of TikTok challenges is how some have enabled harassment or preyed on minors. There have been reports of predatory users taking advantage of challenges to target young users. For example, a BBC Panorama investigation in 2020 found evidence of adults using the platform to exploit and groom children. According to BBC journalist Ashley Nicol-Wilson, “it felt like there were predators around every corner” (https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonchandler/2020/11/02/tiktok-still-failing-to-tackle-alleged-child-predators-bbc-panorama-claims/).
TikTok has struggled to effectively moderate predatory behavior and challenges. The app’s algorithmic recommendations have surfaced inappropriate challenges and exposed underage users to sexualized comments. According to child safety advocates, TikTok’s reporting and blocking tools are insufficient, allowing predators to continue contacting young users even after being reported. There are ongoing concerns that TikTok’s growth has outpaced its ability to protect its users, especially minors, from potential exploitation.
TikTok’s Response
TikTok has taken some steps to address the spread of harmful viral challenges on its platform. In February 2021, TikTok announced new policies to remove videos promoting dangerous challenges and the addition of an in-app warning that pops up when users search for certain hashtags (Young, 20211). TikTok also says it works to identify and stop the spread of potentially dangerous challenges through a combination of technology and human moderation.
However, TikTok has faced criticism that its efforts do not go far enough. Critics argue that harmful challenges continue to spread on the platform and that TikTok’s response tends to be reactive rather than proactive. For example, TikTok failed to take effective action to stop the “blackout challenge” despite multiple deaths attributed to it over many years (Vincent, 20222). Lawsuits have also accused TikTok of knowingly hosting dangerous content and of designing its algorithm to actively promote viral challenges regardless of harmful consequences.
While TikTok has expanded its content moderation efforts, experts say the platform continues to struggle with the immense scale and viral speed at which challenges can spread on social media. Critics argue TikTok needs to take more responsibility for dangerous content and be more transparent about if and how its algorithms may be exacerbating the problem.
Social Media Regulations
There have been increasing calls for more oversight and regulations of social media platforms in light of harmful viral challenges. However, any regulations face scrutiny regarding First Amendment rights and freedom of speech. As noted by the Congressional Research Service, “social media providers may argue that government regulations impermissibly infringe on the providers’ own constitutional free speech rights.”1 At the same time, completely unchecked free speech on social media has downsides as well.2 There is an ongoing debate around balancing free speech protections with reasonable guardrails to mitigate harm from viral content.
Possible regulatory approaches range from mandated transparency reporting to liability for illegal content. However, Stanford Law scholars note “censorship of social media speech may not outweigh the benefit of forbidding a particular speech.”2 Any regulations would need to be carefully crafted to protect Constitutional rights. The RAND Corporation suggests “some form of social media regulation appears inevitable” but must be done in a way that protects free speech.3
Conclusion
In summary, TikTok challenges have led to destructive acts, deaths, health issues, dangerous misinformation, and exploitative content. While free speech and creativity should be encouraged, user safety must be a platform’s top priority. Social networks have a responsibility to protect vulnerable individuals from dangerous challenges and misuse.
There are no easy solutions since policing user-generated content at scale is extremely difficult. But companies like TikTok need effective content moderation, promotion of positive challenges, restrictions on minors, cooperation with authorities, and efforts to improve media literacy. With care and wisdom, online platforms can foster creativity and community while developing ethical standards.
It is a continual balancing act between allowing freedom of expression versus protecting users from harm. As challenges and other viral content spreads rapidly across social networks and into the mainstream, the stakes keep rising. But through education, safeguards, and societal evolution, a healthier online culture can emerge.
