Mason Dark is a 16-year-old TikTok star from Wake Forest, North Carolina who rapidly gained popularity on the platform for his comedic videos. Known for participating in viral challenges and trends, Mason had over 12 million followers on TikTok before his attempt at the dangerous Cinnamon Challenge went horribly wrong.
The Cinnamon Challenge
The Cinnamon Challenge was an internet trend that started on YouTube around 2010 before spreading rapidly on various social media platforms. It involved attempting to swallow a spoonful of ground cinnamon powder without drinking any liquids. The cinnamon would immediately trigger a gag reflex, making it nearly impossible to swallow without coughing. People would record videos of themselves attempting the challenge and choking on the cinnamon. The videos would often show faces turning red as participants desperately tried not to cough up the powder. The trend started as a prank or dare but quickly grew in popularity among adolescents looking to gain attention online. Many participants ended up inhaling the cinnamon powder into their lungs, resulting in coughing fits, vomiting, and trips to the emergency room due to cinnamon inhalation. This raised concerns over the potential dangers of attempting such viral challenges.1 While the cinnamon challenge started on YouTube and older platforms, it gained renewed interest after spreading to TikTok where a new generation attempted it, often unaware of the risks.
Mason Dark Attempts the Challenge
In April 2023, 15-year-old Mason Dark posted a video on TikTok attempting the viral “cinnamon challenge.” The cinnamon challenge involves trying to swallow a spoonful of ground cinnamon in 60 seconds without drinking anything [1]. The challenge began circulating online over a decade ago and has been attempted by many social media influencers and celebrities.
In his cinnamon challenge video, Mason Dark is seen taking a large spoonful of cinnamon and trying to swallow it [1]. He immediately starts coughing and gagging as the cinnamon coats and dries out his mouth and throat. Mason struggles to swallow for nearly a minute as a huge plume of cinnamon billows up with each cough. His attempts to swallow cause him to wheeze and turn red. The video ends with Mason desperately gasping for air and running to get water.
Immediate Aftermath
Right after attempting the Cinnamon Challenge on TikTok, Mason immediately started coughing and choking as he struggled to breathe. He ran to the bathroom to try rinsing out his mouth, but the cinnamon had already coated his throat and nasal passage, causing immense burning pain. Mason described it as “feeling like my throat was on fire.” His attempts to wash out the cinnamon only made the searing pain worse. Mason started screaming in agony and panic set in as he gasped for air, unable to get his breath back. His reaction went far beyond the entertaining coughing fits that many other TikTokers experienced with the challenge. Within minutes, Mason’s throat and airways had swollen shut, leaving him unable to speak or breathe properly. He was turning blue and started collapsing when his mom found him and called 911. Paramedics had to intubate Mason on site before rushing him to the emergency room in critical condition. According to an article, Mason suffered third-degree burns inside his throat from the challenge gone wrong.
Hospitalization
After being severely burned in the accident, Mason was rushed to the hospital for emergency medical treatment. According to CBS 17, he was taken to the WakeMed Burn Center in Raleigh, NC where he remained for roughly seven weeks (1). His injuries were very serious, with burns covering large portions of his body. Doctors worked hard to stabilize his condition and treat his wounds during his extended hospital stay. It was a difficult and painful recovery process for the teen, involving multiple surgeries and skin grafts. At one point, Mason’s family expressed concern that his road to recovery was taking longer than expected (2). Fortunately, after receiving expert medical care for weeks in the burn unit, Mason was finally well enough to be discharged and continue his recovery at home.
Long-Term Effects
Mason suffered severe and life-altering injuries from the TikTok challenge gone wrong. According to a report by People Magazine, Mason experienced third-degree burns over 75% of his body (Source). The burns were so severe that Mason was left completely unrecognizable. He underwent numerous skin graft surgeries and months of excruciating recovery in the hospital’s burn unit.
Sadly, Mason will live with the scars from his injuries for the rest of his life. His family says he still experiences phantom pains from the nerve damage caused by the horrific burns. Mason must also take medications daily to manage the ongoing effects. Mentally and emotionally, the traumatic event has left Mason deeply depressed and anxious. He has been undergoing counseling, but continues to struggle with PTSD from the TikTok challenge gone wrong.
Backlash and Criticism
After being released from the hospital, Mason was met with intense backlash and criticism online for attempting the dangerous cinnamon challenge (Dailymail). Many people took to social media to admonish the young athlete for putting his health and sports career at risk with the reckless stunt. Critics pointed out that the cinnamon challenge has been linked to numerous injuries and hospitalizations since gaining popularity online years ago, and Mason should have known better than to try it.
There was especially strong backlash from fans and coaches in the football community, who felt Mason had exhibited poor judgment and set a bad example that could influence younger kids. According to reports, Mason was suspended from his high school football team for the first three games of the upcoming season as punishment for his actions (Dailymail). The suspension elicited further criticism of Mason online, with many arguing the punishment was too light considering the severity of the incident.
Apology and Awareness
After being released from the hospital, Mason took to social media to apologize for doing the cinnamon challenge and promote awareness around challenge safety (Fictions and Reflections, https://www.facebook.com/fictionsandreflections/). In a heartfelt video posted to his TikTok account, Mason admitted that attempting the cinnamon challenge was an ill-advised stunt that could have had much more serious consequences. He warned his millions of followers about participating in viral challenges without understanding the risks involved first.
“I’m truly sorry for worrying my fans and family. I hope my experience serves as a lesson to others,” Mason said in the video. “Do your research before attempting these stunts and make smart decisions. Your health and safety should always come first.” Mason went on to partner with a nonprofit organization focused on promoting social media responsibility and online safety for an awareness campaign. His efforts helped bring attention to the need for challenge safety and spread a message of being cautious before jumping on viral bandwagons.
Impact on TikTok
Mason Dark’s hospitalization due to the Cinnamon Challenge sparked scrutiny of dangerous viral challenges on TikTok. Many questioned the platform’s responsibility in promoting risky behavior among teens seeking internet fame and validation (https://people.com/human-interest/dangerous-and-deadly-tiktok-challenges-dad-warns-parents-after-son-12-dies-from-blackout-challenge/). There were calls for stronger content moderation and age verification systems to protect minors.
In response, TikTok announced updated policies prohibiting dangerous challenges and stunts, citing the Cinnamon Challenge incident. The company said it would remove videos promoting risky dares that could lead to injury (https://issuu.com/smtexas/docs/2023-05_remarker_may). This incident shed light on the need for social media platforms to prioritize user safety, especially for young audiences. Many hoped it would encourage more awareness about potential online harms.
Lessons Learned
The cinnamon challenge and other dangerous social media trends highlight important lessons about online safety and awareness. As the Bearfoot Theory article discusses, taking a break from social media can provide perspective and help reset your relationship to technology (source). For teens and parents, pausing to reflect on social media usage is vital. According to Matt Shaver’s LinkedIn article, his 50-day social media break taught him to be more intentional about technology and focus on real-world relationships (source).
Participating in online challenges may seem fun and harmless initially. Still, Mason Dark’s experience shows how easily risky behavior can lead to hospitalization and long-term health issues. As Meltwater’s article discusses, brands should also carefully consider potential dangers before launching viral social media campaigns (source). Ultimately, we must use technology responsibly and keep our online actions safe. By reflecting on past mistakes, we can make wiser choices moving forward.
