The “condom-snorting-challenge” has been circulating around the internet. This challenge is the act of taking a condom and inhaling it up through one nostril and then pulling the receiving end out from the mouth.
The challenge not only sounds disgusting, but it can also be dangerous and has fatal consequences. Which begs the question, if teens are doing this, why?
Attention is assumed to be the short answer. Teens are trying anything for likes, views and subscribers. All of this gives the potential of popularity in their minds.
Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube are a few social media platforms that have the opportunity to give millions of followers to any user. The more outrageous the content is that users post, the more likely it has a chance to go viral.
In recent March, it was the ‘Tide-Pod-Challenge’ that was all the buzz. In this challenge, the goal was to physically consume laundry detergent packets. This was dangerous due to the amount of concentrated soap in the pods.
According to data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers, “In 2016 and 2017 poison control centers handled 52 cases of intentional exposures, respectively, among 13 to 19 year olds. That number has increased to 215 among the same age group in the first three months of 2018.”
It is not certain how the Tide-Pod-Challenge got so popular. Maybe it had something to do with its colorful appearance looking like candy. But it is certain that many photos and videos were being made of people eating the soap pods, and reaching upwards of 10,000 views or likes.
Although many people have been aware of these ‘internet challenges’, some teens have not quite latched onto the joke.
“I did not know that this was a challenge and that anyone who would do this for likes,” said Fullerton College student Brandon Garay.
There have been multiple D.I.Y recipes to make your own edible Tide Pods being posted online. Most recipes use gelatin to make candies that look remarkably similar to that of a Tide Pod. Users take advantage of this and make videos of them eating what viewers think is an actual Tide Pod.
“I think its just so obnoxious,” said Stephanie Harchenko, a Fullerton College student.
Despite the Condom-Snorting-Challenge becoming the latest trend among teens, some believe this to be an older challenge that’s just resurfaced online. The amount of videos involving inhaling a contraceptive up one’s nose was created back in 2013.
While these challenge trends may be taking over the Internet, there is still the issue of teens doing horrendous acts for a new level of fame. Social media has played a role in addiction and can prove to be a contributing factor in all these challenges.
“I don’t see the point in doing some like that on social media just so someone can see it. I think people who would do this just want to get famous somehow.” Harchenko added.
Likes, views and subscribers have internet users waiting to see what dull and wacky trend will strike next.
