8 Internet Challenges That Went Wildly Out of Control (4 of 5)

6. The Blackout Challenge

The Blackout challenge isn’t “edgy,” it’s horrifying. Imagine willingly cutting off oxygen to your own brain! It can cause all sorts of health issues, not to mention if you’re a few seconds off—that’s it. You’re dead. It is not a harmless game. Kids and teens have been especially vulnerable here, which is heartbreaking. If you’re a parent or mentor, talk about this explicitly. The internet won’t add a warning label big enough, so this one’s on us adults.

7. Tide PODS

Bright, swirly detergent pods look like candy to the part of the brain that handles “Ooh, shiny.” Unfortunately, that part of the brain does not manage digestion. These are concentrated cleaners meant for laundry, not lunch. Media attention helped curb the fad, but the fact that “Don’t eat the soap” had to become a headline tells you everything about one of the internet’s worst challenges.