All the Dangerous TikTok Challenges Parents Should Know About
For nearly as long as the platform has been around, TikTok has churned out some truly wild challenges that kids are either laughing at, trying for views, or taking way too seriously. We're talking things like sticking metal into Chromebooks to make them spark (yes, really), inhaling household products to get a buzz, and choking themselves for 'fun.' Some trends are framed as wellness hacks or 'detoxes,' but — spoiler alert — they're usually anything but healthy.
A lot of it boils down to curiosity, peer pressure, or chasing clout. And while many teens would never dream of doing this stuff, some might — especially if they see it over and over in their feed. The allure of making viral content is sometimes strong enough to override common sense, and TikTok's algorithm is designed to boost whatever gets the most engagement, not what's safest … so even a joke can spiral into something dangerous once it takes off.
'Teenagers will engage in many behaviors that will make their parents' heads spin. It's important to acknowledge that in between the space of stimulus and response, there is a choice,' Dr. Adolph 'Doc' Brown, clinical psychologist and parenting expert on ABC's The Parent Test, previously told SheKnows. 'Our teens make choices, both good and bad. As parents, our duty is to guard and guide them in the best way we can.'
That's why it's so important for parents to have a basic idea of what's trending — not to panic or hover, but just to be able to say, 'Hey, I heard about this thing — is anyone at school doing it?' Sometimes that's all it takes to open the door for a real conversation.
This gallery rounds up the most alarming TikTok challenges and trends from the past year — the ones that are stupid, risky, or downright deadly — and we'll keep updating it as new trends emerge. You might already be familiar with a few of them, but chances are there'll be at least one that makes you go, 'Wait … kids are doing what now?' And as often as trends go out of vogue, they re-emerge, so you never know which 'old' TikTok challenges will be making the rounds again.
We can't keep up with everything our kids are seeing online. But we can try to stay in the loop — and hopefully keep them from doing something they'll regret before they even realize it's a bad idea.
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Chromebook Challenge
What is the Chromebook challenge?
Kids are sticking metal objects — like paper clips or pencil lead — into their school-issued Chromebooks to make sparks fly. Literally. It's being treated like a joke, but it's frying the laptops, starting small fires, and even getting kids charged with arson in some places.
Blackout Challenge
What is the blackout challenge?
This one's terrifying: kids are choking themselves or holding their breath to the point of passing out on purpose — sometimes while filming it. It's been around for years but resurfaced lately, and yes, it has led to actual deaths. There's nothing harmless about it.
Benadryl Challenge
What is the Benadryl challenge?
This trend dares kids to take way too much Benadryl in order to hallucinate. It sounds absurd — and it is — but teens have ended up in the ER, and at least one has died. It's one of those 'just because you can doesn't mean you should' situations.
Chroming/WhipTok
What is the chroming or WhipTok challenge?
This involves inhaling nitrous oxide (often from whipped cream canisters) to get a short-lived high. What it can actually lead to? Brain damage, seizures, heart issues, or worse. And it's still popping up on TikTok under sneaky hashtags like #WhipTok.
Outlet Challenge
What is the outlet challenge?
Yep, it's as dumb as it sounds: kids partially plug in a charger and then slide a penny into the exposed prongs. Cue sparks, electrical fires, and a trip to the principal's office — or the hospital.
Door-Kicking Challenge
What is the door-kicking challenge?
Also called the 'Kool-Aid Man' challenge ('80s and '90s kids will get this one), this one involves teens kicking in people's front doors to film their reactions. Not only is it a great way to terrify someone, it's also a great way to get arrested — or worse, if the homeowner fights back.
Urban Exploration (UrbanEx) Challenge
What is the urban exploration challenge?
This isn't new, but it's trending again: teens filming themselves breaking into abandoned buildings for views. Aside from the obvious danger of trespassing, there's also collapsing floors, exposed wiring, and a very real risk of injury. Though we're all for teens 'adventuring,' we know that doing it in the wrong places can be dangerous.
Sun Tattoos
What is the sun tattoo trend/challenge?
Not only is tan skin 'in' right now, but teens are using stencils and sunscreen to purposely burn tattoo-like patterns into their skin by tanning without protection. It's painful, pointless, and increases the risk of skin cancer. But it sure looks cool on TikTok, right?
Dragon's Breath Challenge
What is the dragon's breath challenge?
People are putting liquid nitrogen on candy or cereal to blow smoke out of their mouths. What's the problem? Liquid nitrogen can cause serious burns to the mouth and throat — and even breathing issues if inhaled.
Nutmeg Challenge
What is the nutmeg challenge?
Some teens are downing spoonfuls of nutmeg (we're talking tablespoons, not sprinkles) mixed in water, hoping to get trippy. It sounds silly, but too much nutmeg can cause hallucinations, extreme nausea, dizziness — even seizures or coma.
Galaxy Gas Challenge
What is the Galaxy Gas challenge?
You may have seen these colorful canisters — often labeled Galaxy Gas — around. They're meant for whipping cream (like for restaurant use), but teens are inhaling the nitrous oxide inside to chase a quick high. Doctors warn that nitrous 'laughing gas' can cause dizziness, loss of coordination, nerve damage (like B12 deficiency leading to spinal issues), hallucinations, or worse — oxygen deprivation that can even kill you. It's becoming so common that TikTok now blocks searches for 'Galaxy Gas' and points users to substance‑abuse info. Even big retailers pulled it from their shelves as the trend exploded in late 2024.
Brightly branded cans + candy flavors = basically a booby-trapped candy store for kids.
Orbeez Challenge
What is the Orbeez challenge?
Kids are loading up toy guns with Orbeez gel beads and firing them at strangers or classmates. It's being passed off as a prank — but it's led to eye injuries, arrests, and even assault charges. Definitely not just harmless fun.
Nee-Doh Challenge
What is the Nee-Doh challenge?
This trend has kids freezing and microwaving squishy Nee-Doh toys to make them 'more fun.' Instead, they explode — and kids are ending up with severe burns. The goo can stick to skin and cause serious chemical injuries. Hard pass.
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