Teen Hospitalized After Dangerous Social Media Challenge

A teenager in St. Petersburg, Florida, was hospitalized following an incident related to a viral social media challenge that involves using a jam jar and rubbing alcohol. Fire officials reported that the teen sustained burns while attempting to create a makeshift jet engine.

Dr. Jasmine Patterson, the medical director of the pediatric emergency room at Muma Children’s Hospital within Tampa General Hospital, has noted an alarming trend. She indicated that the hospital has treated numerous young patients who suffered injuries from various social media challenges, particularly those involving fire and flammable materials.

As a regional burn center and a level one trauma center, Tampa General has seen a range of cases involving patients aged between 14 and 18 years old. Dr. Patterson explained, “I’d say probably a few years ago is when I started to see the bad burns from these viral social media challenges and this new jar challenge. We’ve definitely treated some burns related to that.”

Videos circulating on social media platforms demonstrate individuals filling a jam jar with rubbing alcohol before igniting it. Dr. Patterson warned that such experiments can lead to severe injuries. “They’re seeing these challenges and thinking it looks pretty cool, and then they try it out. The problem is it is burning in such a very high heat that often the glass actually melts or explodes,” she added.

Need for Parental Guidance

In light of these incidents, Dr. Patterson is advocating for increased parental supervision and communication regarding online trends. She urges parents to engage in conversations with their children about the potential dangers associated with social media challenges.

“You need to be proactive, start the conversation with your child that some things are put on social media that are not safe for kids, not even safe for adults sometimes,” Dr. Patterson emphasized. She recommends that parents review the videos with their children, discussing the risks involved and determining whether they are safe to attempt. Additionally, she stresses the importance of supervision when children choose to engage in any challenges.

This warning comes as part of a broader concern about the impact of social media on youth behavior and safety. As platforms continue to host increasingly risky trends, medical professionals like Dr. Patterson are raising alarms about the physical and psychological consequences of such online activities.

Parents are encouraged to remain vigilant and informed about the content their children consume online, fostering an atmosphere where open dialogue about safety and responsibility is prioritized.