What is the TikTok Lighter Spray Can Challenge?
The TikTok lighter spray can challenge is a dangerous social media challenge that recently went viral on the platform TikTok. The challenge involves using a lighter to ignite aerosol cans of spray paint, hairspray, or other flammable household products to create a large flamethrower-like effect. Videos of teens attempting this challenge began spreading across TikTok earlier this year, with the hashtag #lighterspray accumulating over 30 million views.
The concept behind the videos is to spray flammable aerosol out of the can towards an open lighter or match, which ignites the fumes into a large fireball. Participants point the flame away from themselves towards open air, trees, or other objects. The size of the fireball depends on the flammability and amount of spray used.
While participants treat the fiery videos like harmless entertainment, the challenge can have severe consequences. The makeshift flamethrowers put users at risk of serious burns, injuries, accidents, and property damage. Authorities, parents, and social media platforms have since condemned the dangerous trend and warned against participating in the challenge.
How Did the Challenge Start?
The lighter spray can challenge first emerged in early April 2022 when videos started circulating on TikTok showing teenagers experimenting with makeshift flamethrowers. According to Know Your Meme (1), one of the earliest videos was posted on April 7th by the account @ernest.02, showing a group of boys creating a large fireball by spraying axe body spray into a lit lighter. The video gathered over 800,000 likes in a few weeks. Another early viral video was posted on April 12th by @cameronjamesreese, showing a shirtless teen lighting a can of Axe spray on fire to create a flamethrower effect. This video amassed over 5 million views in just a few days. These early videos kickstarted the dangerous trend and inspired many other teens to try the “challenge” and post their own versions.
What Happens in the Videos?
The typical video starts with a person holding a can of spray paint or hair spray. They then proceed to spray the flammable aerosol in the direction of a lit cigarette lighter being held in front of the can. This causes a large fireball to erupt as the spray ignites. Often the videos are shot indoors and show people laughing as the fireball engulfs the surrounding area. Some videos just show a closeup of the spray can nozzle and lighter flame, followed by an extreme closeup of the fireball. The duration is generally less than 20 seconds.
Most of these dangerous prank videos involve cheap spray paint or hairspray cans. The videos usually show reckless behavior, with the spray and lighter flame being set off dangerously close to the person’s body or flammable surroundings. Bystanders are often seen laughing and cheering on the dangerous stunt.
According to an analysis done by @tizzyent, over 28,000 videos have been made attempting the challenge. Many of the videos involve young teens and pre-teens.
Why is it Dangerous?
The TikTok lighter spray can challenge poses significant fire and explosion dangers that can lead to severe injuries. When spray cans are ignited with a flame, they can erupt into a large fireball or even explode (source). This is because many common spray cans contain flammable propellants and chemicals that rapidly ignite when exposed to heat or flame. The resulting explosion can spray flames and hot gases in all directions.
According to fire safety experts, attempting this challenge is extremely risky. The flames from the ignited spray can are large and difficult to control. They can quickly spread and set nearby objects or people on fire. In addition, the pressure buildup in spray cans makes them prone to explosion when heated, which can blast out fiery debris. This can lead to severe burn injuries from the flames and hot gases, as well as from the exploding can itself.
Experts strongly warn against this challenge due to the unpredictability of the resulting fireball and likelihood of serious injury. The dangers posed are very real, as evidenced unfortunately by those who have been badly burned while attempting this challenge (source). The risk clearly outweighs any momentary entertainment value.
Injuries and Damage Caused
The TikTok lighter spray challenge has resulted in severe injuries, with some teens suffering burns over a large percentage of their bodies. One of the most serious cases involved Mason Dark, a 16-year-old from North Carolina. Dark was hospitalized with burns covering nearly 80% of his body after attempting the challenge (1). He required surgery and skin grafts, and his recovery process is expected to take months.
Other teens have experienced serious burns to their hands, arms, torso, and face from partaking in the challenge. The flames created by combining an aerosol spray can and lighter can quickly spread and engulf clothing or hair (2). Apart from the burns, some teens have also suffered from smoke inhalation damage and respiratory distress when attempting the ill-advised challenge.
In addition to injuries, the challenge has also resulted in property damage in some cases. The makeshift blowtorches created by teens have been used irresponsibly to vandalize objects by setting them ablaze. Damage to cars, playground equipment, grass, and school property has been reported in different areas where the challenge has taken place (3). The dangerous stunts can easily get out of hand and cause unintentional harm.
Medical experts, burn specialists, and fire safety authorities have all strongly warned against the reckless challenge. They caution that the stunt has a high risk of catastrophic injury due to the misuse of flammable aerosol products paired with an open flame (1). Sadly, many teens have had to learn this safety lesson the hard way.
(2) https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/tiktok-flamethrower-challenge-teen-hospital-burns
Reactions from TikTok and Authorities
As awareness of this dangerous trend spread, TikTok and other authorities took action to intervene. TikTok began removing videos using the hashtag #lighterchallenge and issuing warnings about posting dangerous content. The platform also added a public service announcement that pops up when users search for the lighter challenge, warning about serious injury and advising against participation.
Law enforcement officials, firefighters, and injury prevention groups also issued warnings about the dangers of the challenge. The FDA released a statement cautioning that misusing aerosol cans could lead to serious burns, other injuries, and property damage. Authorities are attempting to stop the spread of this trend before more youth are harmed.
TikTok stated it will continue working to ban videos promoting the lighter challenge and will cooperate with law enforcement investigating injuries caused by this trend. The goal is to use a combination of removing content, education, and consequences to discourage youth from participating in such high-risk challenges.
Psychology Behind Viral Challenges
There are several psychological factors that contribute to the popularity of risky viral challenges among teenagers and young adults. According to research from Psych2Go, the desire for social approval and status is a major driver (source). Participating in viral challenges and posting the videos online is seen as a way to gain popularity and impress peers.
Additionally, the teenage brain is wired to seek rewards and thrills. According to experts from Scripps News, viral challenges activate the reward centers in the adolescent brain, which motivates them to participate for the dopamine rush (source). The risky and rebellious nature also appeals to the teenage mindset.
Peer pressure amplifies risky behavior, as teens may participate to avoid being left out or mocked for not doing the challenge. According to researchers from FIU, the anonymous nature of challenges online and detachment from consequences also reduces inhibition (source). Overall, the psychology of the teenage brain, combined with social pressures, creates the perfect environment for dangerous online challenges to go viral.
Tips for Parents
As a parent, it’s important to talk with your children openly and regularly about social media use to help them stay safe online. Here are some tips for parents:
- Ask them what challenges or trends they have seen on social media. Maintain an open dialogue without judgment so they feel comfortable being honest.
- Educate yourself on viral challenges and how to recognize signs of risky behavior. Resources like Healthy Children provide guidance.
- Set reasonable rules and expectations for social media use such as time limits, checking in before sharing personal info, avoiding harmful challenges.
- Monitor their social media activity when possible but avoid snooping; explain monitoring is for their safety.
- Be a positive role model for smart social media use and have frequent conversations about online safety.
- Keep devices like phones out of bedrooms overnight to discourage late night social media use.
- Encourage productive hobbies and interests offline as well to give balance.
With open communication and engagement, parents can promote safer social media use and critical thinking skills in children. It’s key to educate yourself and stay involved as viral trends rapidly emerge.
Promoting Safe Social Media Use
While viral challenges can lead to dangerous outcomes, social media platforms themselves are not inherently bad. There are many positive ways for teens and young adults to engage on sites like TikTok and Instagram. Here are some tips for using social media responsibly:
Make accounts private and be selective about who can follow you. Only accept friend requests from people you know in real life. Be mindful of what you post publicly vs privately.
Before participating in any online challenge, consider potential risks and talk to a parent. Use critical thinking before acting.
Look out for warning signs of harmful challenges and report any dangerous videos you see. You can help stop the spread.
Seek positive communities that align with your values and interests. Follow accounts that inspire, educate and make you feel good.
Balance online time with off-screen activities. Take regular breaks from social media.
Model kindness online. Avoid bullying or shaming others.
Be authentic and have fun, but remember that anything posted can have lasting effects. Maintain your privacy and reputation.
Talk to parents, teachers or trusted adults if you have concerns about social media. There are resources available if you need help.
By using social platforms consciously, we can cultivate safe online spaces that bring people together in a positive way.
Sources:
https://publicsafety.tcu.edu/news/promoting-safe-social-media-use-for-horned-frogs/
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/5850/
The Importance of Critical Thinking
With the rise of social media, teenagers today are exposed to a constant stream of viral challenges and online trends. While some of these may seem harmless at first, many can be extremely dangerous if not approached with adequate caution and critical thinking. The TikTok lighter spray can challenge is one example of an online craze that has resulted in serious injuries, yet continues to spread rapidly among impressionable young users.
Before participating in any online challenge or meme, it’s crucial that teenagers carefully analyze potential risks and exercise sound judgment. Blindly following peers or influencers without considering the consequences can lead to reckless behavior. Parents should have open discussions with teens about using critical thinking skills before acting, even if something seems fun and popular.
As this article notes, nurturing curiosity and not just accepting things at face value is key to developing strong critical thinking abilities. Parents can promote more mindful social media use by encouraging kids to ask questions like “What evidence is there to support this?” or “What could go wrong here?”
With social media moving so fast, taking a pause to reflect deeper on whether an online trend is safe and ethical can prevent tragic outcomes. Teaching teenagers to think independently, objectively analyze information, and make reasoned judgments will serve them well both online and off.
