The dangerous trends on Tiktok continue to send dozens of teenagers monthly to emergencies. The challenges that cause them to climb on decommissioned buildings, make risky selfies or consume toxic substances are a growing phenomenon, which endangers their lives. Psychologists warn that this desperate desire for validation can have tragic consequences, and parents are urged to monitor the time spent online by their children.
All more young people accept dangerous challenges on tiktok for likes / photo source: Tiktok
Several young people admire the sunset on the roof of the Unirea store, in the center of the capital. An unpaved, damaged place, in which the fun can turn into tragedy in a moment. Other videos show boys entering various abandoned buildings. The phenomenon is called Urbex, started in France and Belgium but also became popular in Romania, according to Observatornews.ro
The challenge “Urbex” that makes young people climb old buildings or abandoned spaces
Most of the time, young people choose for the challenges of Urbex such unusual buildings, usually blocks or other decommissioned constructions. Other viral challenges on social platforms refer to other even more dangerous practice. SELFFI on the train or consumption of various substances or drugs, such as cough syrup, in combination with juices or energizers.
“We see that more and more children are exposed to all kinds of situations. We try to inform the public opinion as quickly. It is precisely to know what the current challenges are and to be careful including the belongings to the signs that these children could be exposed.” say Rareş Petru Achiriloaie, Agency for Drug Policies.
Challenges, filmed to attract more likes on Tiktok
Those who manage to take the challenges at the end for the likes but also to encourage other young people to take part in this risky trend.
“I saw the most … bad, so to speak. For attention, for as much popularity.”
“They should be supervised because they trust some ideas that are not from reality. And where they spend their time, and where what friends have”say young people.
More and more minors arrive at the hospital after the challenges end tragically
The same recommendations also come from psychologists, who believe that the need for social validation, curiosity, but also the desire to join such a group motivates teenagers to endanger their lives.
“A child who has a proper family life will not get to do such things or the family will realize on time. You don’t have to stay 20 hours with your child, but you need to know what his internal world is, you need to know his values, the environment, filters, because that’s your duty as a parent”says Constantin Cornea, psychologist.
Every year, dozens of children arrive in the emergency units of hospitals in the country, after trying various challenges on the Internet. Last year, at least 20 children arrived in a single day at Grigore Alexandrescu Hospital in the Capital with various fractures, after trying Superman Challenge, the source said.
Several clips filmed both on the Unirii store and the old Ciclop store are on Tiktok.
