The “choking game” and other dangerous challenges popularized by social media can have deadly consequences, with rough estimates suggesting about 10% of U.S. teenagers have played such games at least once. Other games like the Skullbreaker Challenge, Tide Pod Challenge, and Car Surfing also pose serious risks. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to these activities due to brain development and hormonal changes, compounded by the influence of social media algorithms promoting sensational content. Parents can help by monitoring their children’s online activity, encouraging healthy risk-taking experiences, and engaging in open discussions about risks both online and offline. This systemic issue requires collaboration among schools, government, and technology companies to protect adolescents while promoting healthy development.
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The ‘choking game’ and other challenges amplified by social media can come with deadly consequences
