A teenager from St. Petersburg, Florida, was hospitalized after sustaining burns while attempting a social media challenge involving a jam jar and rubbing alcohol. Fire officials confirmed that the incident resulted from an attempt to create a makeshift jet engine. This alarming situation highlights the risks associated with viral online trends, particularly among young people.
Dr. Jasmine Patterson, the medical director of the pediatric emergency room at Muma Children’s Hospital at Tampa General Hospital, has noted an increase in cases related to similar challenges. As a regional burn center and level one trauma facility, Tampa General has treated numerous patients aged between 14 and 18 years who suffered injuries from these dangerous activities.
Rising Incidents Linked to Social Media Trends
Dr. Patterson indicated that the surge in burn injuries linked to social media challenges has been notable over the past few years. “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,” she explained.
Videos circulating on various social media platforms depict individuals filling a jam jar with rubbing alcohol and igniting it, often resulting in severe burns. “They’re seeing these challenges and thinking it looks pretty cool, and then they try it out,” Dr. Patterson added. “The problem is it is burning at such a very high heat that often the glass actually melts or explodes.”
Advice for Parents and Guardians
In light of these incidents, Dr. Patterson urges parents to take an active role in their children’s online interactions. She emphasizes the need for open discussions about the potential dangers of trends seen on social media. “You need to be proactive, start the conversation with your child that some things that are put on social media are not safe for kids, not even safe for adults sometimes,” Dr. Patterson advised.
She recommends that parents and children review videos together, discuss their content, and assess whether any challenges are worth attempting. Dr. Patterson stresses the importance of supervision during any online challenge, saying, “You need to be there for your kid and supervise any challenge.”
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards associated with social media challenges. Parents are encouraged to monitor their children’s activities online and engage in conversations about safety to prevent further injuries.
