After a “squishy toy” craze gone wrong left several Scottish children in hospital, parents are being reminded about the dangerous viral social media trends putting their youngsters at serious risk.
As we reported today, medical staff in Glasgow have treated multiple youngsters in recent months after they attempted to follow online videos encouraging them to microwave soft “squishy” toys.
But this is just one of several alarming online challenges spreading across social media platforms, with experts urging families to be vigilant about what children are viewing and copying.
Doctors at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children have treated six children over the past eight months after they were injured attempting a viral “hack” involving squishy toys.
The trend encourages users to heat the foam- or gel-filled toys in microwaves to make them softer and more stretchable. However, experts warn the toys can explode under heat and pressure, causing boiling-hot gel to spray onto skin and result in severe burns.
In some cases, children have required skin grafts due to the seriousness of their injuries.
View 6 ImagesEight-year-old Joseph had to get a skin graft on his chest to help treat his burns.(Image: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde/PA Wire)
One victim, 11-year-old Scarlet Rowe from Irvine, suffered burns to her face and eyelid after trying the trend shortly after receiving a squishy toy.
Another child, eight-year-old Joseph Erskine from Clackmannanshire, required weeks of treatment and a skin graft after a toy burst across his chest and hand.
Burns specialists have warned that the injuries can be long-lasting, potentially leading to permanent scarring, and are urging parents to talk to children about the risks of copying viral videos.
Police have issued warnings over a dangerous driving trend known as the “100mph challenge” where motorists film themselves reaching extreme speeds and share the footage on social media platforms such as Snapchat.
The craze, which has circulated online for several years, has resurfaced amid growing concern from roads policing teams following reports of anti-social driving and speeding.
View 6 ImagesThe police have urged people not to partake in the viral challenge(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Officers say the behaviour puts not only drivers but other road users at serious risk of death or injury.
Police stress that speeding remains one of the leading causes of serious collisions and that recording and sharing the behaviour online does not lessen the danger or consequences.
Offenders face penalties including fines, points on their licence, and potential disqualification from driving.
Animal behaviour experts have warned about a viral TikTok trend where users bark directly in their dog’s face to provoke a reaction.
The “bark at your dog” challenge has gained millions of views, but professionals say it can confuse and distress pets, sometimes triggering aggressive responses.
Behaviourists warn that dogs may interpret the behaviour as threatening, increasing the risk of bites and damaging trust between pets and their owners.
View 6 ImagesExperts have warned that the ‘bark at your dog’ challenge could lead to aggression.(Image: Getty)
Experts say even normally calm animals can react unpredictably when startled, particularly when someone invades their personal space.
They are urging owners to avoid the trend entirely and instead learn to understand their dog’s body language to recognise signs of stress or discomfort.
A disturbing online trend known as the “blackout challenge” has been linked to multiple child deaths and ongoing legal action against social media platforms.
The challenge encourages users to restrict their breathing until they lose consciousness, often while recording themselves for online sharing.
Families of children have filed wrongful death lawsuits following deaths allegedly connected to the trend.
View 6 ImagesArchie suffered catastrophic brain injuries, which his mum says were obtained during the blackout challenge(Image: PA)
Health officials have long warned about the dangers of intentional oxygen deprivation, with similar “choking games” previously linked to dozens of fatalities over past decades.
Experts say children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable to peer pressure and may not fully understand the life-threatening risks involved.
Even brief oxygen loss can cause permanent brain damage or death, prompting urgent calls for parents to discuss the dangers of viral challenges with their children.
Health authorities have warned about the misuse of the over-the-counter medication Benadryl in a viral trend that encourages excessive consumption to induce hallucinations.
Doctors say the antihistamine, normally used to treat allergies and cold symptoms, can become extremely dangerous when taken in large quantities.
Misuse of the drug can lead to seizures, heart problems, coma, and in some cases, death.
View 6 ImagesLeah Presson, 15, has been left with “zero brain activity” after participating in the so-called “Benadryl challenge”.(Image: Facebook)
The trend first emerged in 2020 but has resurfaced periodically, prompting renewed warnings from medical experts and regulators.
At least one teenager has reportedly died after participating.
Experts are urging parents to keep medicines securely stored and to speak openly with young people about the risks of copying dangerous online trends.
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