Dangerous

YouTube Food Challenges Causing Actual Harm to Kids

This doesn't end well.
This doesn’t end well. Photo: Youtube

A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, but a spoonful of cinnamon could land you in the E.R. YouTube-inspired food challenges are known to be dangerous. Now poison centers and toxicologists are reporting that they’re treating an increased number of kids after their failed attempts at fifteen minutes of Internet fame. The stunts include “the cinnamon challenge” (trying to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon) and the “chubby bunny” (stuffing marshmallows into your mouth and trying to say the words). Both can result in choking, air-deprivation, and public embarrassment when a future employer Googles you. But seriously, kids, if you want to be a YouTube star, make a video of yourself covering a Justin Bieber song or something. [NPR]

YouTube Food Challenges Causing Actual Harm to Kids