🚨⚠️ A viral challenge almost led to tragedy for 13-year-old Lucas Howson from Cleethorpes! He ended up in the hospital after trying the “tap out” trend with friends. 😱
On July 17, Lucas was out playing when things took a terrifying turn. His mum, Amy, got a call no parent wants, learning her son was unconscious in the park. Racing there, she found him bleeding and confused. It turns out he and his mates were attempting the tap out challenge—a dangerous game where someone is put in a headlock until they’re on the edge of passing out. Lucas not only lost consciousness but also nearly bit through his entire tongue upon hitting the ground. 😢
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about risks from such trends; remember, a Scottish teen tragically lost his life to a similar stunt. Social media can spread trends quickly, and it’s easy for kids to think it’s harmless fun. But as Amy points out, these challenges can have serious consequences. She managed to get Lucas to the hospital, where doctors confirmed he had suffered amnesia and a trauma-induced brain injury. Thankfully, he recovered, but the incident serves as a crucial reminder of the potential harms lurking online. 🏥
Amy’s now on a mission to raise awareness about social media dangers. While TikTok claims to be vigilant in removing harmful content, horrific incidents like Lucas’s prove there’s room for improvement. Amy warns other parents to keep an eye on what their kids are viewing and urges young ones to steer clear of life-threatening stunts.
“Whoever’s promoting these challenges is reckless. Kids feel invincible, but the risks are real,” says Amy. Let’s keep our kids safe online! 🙏✨ #StaySafe #ViralChallengeWarning #Parenting