Teen Hospitalized After Dangerous Social Media Challenge Involving Fire

A teenager in St. Petersburg, Florida, was hospitalized after suffering burns while attempting a dangerous social media challenge that involved using a jam jar and rubbing alcohol. Fire officials reported that the incident resulted from the teen trying to create a makeshift jet engine by igniting the flammable liquid inside the jar.

Dr. Jasmine Patterson, the medical director of the pediatric emergency room at Muma Children’s Hospital at Tampa General Hospital, stated that the facility has seen a rise in injuries related to viral social media challenges. As a regional burn center and a level one trauma center, Tampa General has treated numerous patients aged between 14 and 18 years who have suffered serious injuries from these online trends.

Warning from Medical Professionals

Dr. Patterson highlighted a concerning trend, noting, “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.” The challenges often encourage participants to engage in risky behavior, with videos circulating on social media platforms showing people filling a jar with rubbing alcohol and igniting it.

“The problem is it is burning in such a very high heat that often the glass actually melts or explodes,” Dr. Patterson explained. She emphasized the urgent need for parents to monitor their children’s online activities and discuss the dangers associated with many trends that appear harmless.

Advising Parental Supervision

In her advice to parents, Dr. Patterson encouraged proactive conversations about the risks of online challenges. “You need to 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,” she said. She suggested that parents should view the videos together with their children, evaluate the potential risks, and determine whether any challenge is worth attempting.

Supervision during any such activities is crucial, according to Dr. Patterson. “You need to be there for your kid and supervise any challenge,” she added, underlining the importance of parental guidance in navigating the complexities of social media.

As incidents like these continue to emerge, the responsibility lies with both parents and children to be aware of the potential dangers lurking within seemingly entertaining trends.