Buzz
A recent TikTok challenge involving a type of chewing gum has led to numerous children being hospitalized.
'Harmful' challenges on TikTok have long been a menace affecting many social media users. Despite efforts to prevent harmful content from reaching children, health-damaging challenges continue to proliferate on TikTok.
Recently, officials in Massachusetts, USA, had to issue a warning to parents about the 'spicy gum challenge' trending on TikTok. At least 10 elementary school students have been hospitalized due to participating in this challenge.
'It's a terrifying challenge. Honestly, I feel like these kids are being attacked,' said a parent named Kathleen Woodard to Western Mass News.
A mother in Massachusetts recounted being called to the school to pick up her 9-year-old son Michael after he experienced vomiting symptoms following chewing a piece of CaJohns Trouble Bubble Bubble gum.
'I stepped in and the children were in tears. They lined up along the hallway, in the foyer area. Their hands were crimson, faces as red as beets, claiming this candy caused them agony.' - Ms. Woodard revealed.
Recently, this candy has spawned a TikTok challenge where viewers have to taste this spicy gum and complete the bubble blowing challenge while chewing it. Despite its dangers, videos tagged #troublebubble have amassed over 10.9 million views.
In reality, the challenge has been around since 2021 and despite warnings, it continues to be heavily advertised with the description 'hottest bubble gum on the planet' and is sold profusely on e-commerce platforms like Amazon for $15 (approximately 350,000 VND).
After investigation, the Southborough police department issued a warning about the 'TikTok gum challenge' noting that these candies 'contain a substance similar to police pepper spray'.
The warning further explains that pepper spray is believed to have 1 to 2 million Scoville heat units (the measure of heat in pepper-based products) while Trouble Bubble Bubble Gum boasts 16 million Scoville heat units.
Content creator and spicy food expert Tal Klein, known online as Spizee, has dared to taste this candy twice.
'Essentially, it's like chewing hot tar. It's a kind of pain I never expected. It truly feels like putting fire in your mouth' - he shared with Today.com.
The spicy bubble gum challenge is just the latest among many terrifying challenges on TikTok. Previously, challenges like #OneChipChallenge (challenging users to eat spicy tortilla chips) or #BlackoutChallenge (challenging blackout) have led many users to be hospitalized and even die.
Source: NY Post
