Mackenzie Sheldon | Opinion Editor
Growing up in the 2000s with the new developing technology, we were all exposed to some very, interesting... internet challenges. We’re going to go through the top 5 trends of the 2000s and 2010s.
The Cinamon Challenge
Starting off strong with the Cinamon Challenge. This challenge gained popularity on YouTube in 2007. It was one of the first internet challenges to become viral. The goal was to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon within sixty seconds. Poison control calls increased and some cases were sent to the hospital seeking medical attention. Some people were as young as 13 years old.
The Ghost Pepper Challenge
The next “fun” trend is the famous 2011 Ghost Pepper Challenge. Essentially, you would eat a ghost pepper and see how long you could withstand the effects without drinking milk. Some have reported, hallucinations, vomiting, and in some extreme cases, cardiac arrest. Multiple influencers hoped on this trend and posted videos of their experience eating the ghost pepper.
The Killer Clown Trend
In 2016, Killer Clowns took over, getting coverage from multiple media outlets and news stations. Clown sightings were reported in forests, schools, streets, and parking garages, all in an attempt to scare or attack people. Some clowns were even stabbing innocent civilians, causing mass panic among children and families. Parents were terrified on social media specifically posting about it on Facebook. I specifically remember waking up in the middle of the night thinking that a clown would attack me on my walk to the bus stop the next morning. Many other kids were worried clowns during this time leading to an increase in calls to counselors (upwards of one hundred calls).
The Tide POD Challenge
Everyone remembers the horrors of the Tide POD Challenge in 2018. Tide PODS are tiny laundry detergent packets, read that again, made to make laundry trips easier and use less product. Polyvinyl alcohol, stain removers, palmitic acid, fragrances, and hydrogenated castor oil are just some of the ingredients in a Tide POD. When Procter and Gamble came out with this product and realized babies were eating them, they made the packaging baby-proof. Little did they know, soon kids and adults would eat Tide PODS and post it on the internet! Poison control centers had over 7,000 reported cases of people eating Tide PODS, with some deaths reported as well.
The Devious Lick Trend
Lastly, the devious licks. This challenge started on TikTok in 2021. Students would record themselves stealing items like soap dispensers, exit signs, and even water fountains. They would post it on TikTok with the caption “Caught a Devious Lick”. The vandalism and theft resulted in multiple students being arrested in several states.
Trends & Challenges in the Media
The constant media coverage promotes these harmful trends, rather than warns. News spreads the word on these dumb ideas leading to more people doing them and getting hurt. Seeing these challenges at such a young age is extremely dangerous. With Youtubers that have a younger following, kids are more likely to do challenges that their idols participate in. Luckily, trends and challenges like this have slowed down. We need to be careful and keep children (and adults) safe from participating in internet challenges like these.
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