From ‘butt chugging’ and ‘eyeballing’ to the Blue Whale suicide challenge, there seems to be no end to the level of ignorance teens are willing to stoop to for a few clicks and laughs, at the expense of their lives.
A government watchdog has now issued a warning about a dangerous new trend that is sweeping the Internet: “The Tide Pod Challenge.”
The social media fad is encouraging teens to record themselves popping the poisonous detergent packs in their mouths.
Procter & Gamble has long warned that the products are highly dangerous, and not to be toyed with under ANY circumstances.
“They should not be played with,” a company spokesperson told CBS News. “Even if meant as a joke. Safety is no laughing matter.”
Ten deaths related to ingesting the detergent packs have already been reported; eight of them being seniors suffering from dementia and two toddlers.
With their bright and colorful packaging, the pods can look like candy to children.