Several strange trends began to take over TikTok around magnets, one of which was people pretending to be magnets and the other leading to hospital admissions.
As TikTok becomes more and more like Vine, with comedic sketches, pranks, and everything in between, it’s home to wacky and weird trends. In the past, users have reported seeing actual “zombies” trying to convince others that TikTok is shutting down, even trying to appear as if they’re talking to ghosts.
However, several magnetic trends have emerged in the last few days and weeks, and both are quite common. However, more people are hospitalized in the UK.
An 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy reportedly underwent major surgery after ingesting magnets while participating in a trend. A TikTok trend of teenagers using small magnets as fake tongue piercings led the NHS to call for a ban on metal bullets.
The magnetic tendency is to stick small round magnets on either side of your tongue to make it look like you’ve pierced your tongue. Some even did the same thing with their noses to make it look like they had nose piercings. The task is dangerous, since it is easy to accidentally swallow one of the magnets, which can then cause damage to internal organs.
What is the TikTok magnet trending?
Another “magnetic challenge” on TikTok is just as weird, but not as deadly. It’s actually just a complete scam.
Some users claim that they are actually magnetic and can latch onto themselves. Of course, this is not true. One article demystifies things by pointing out that TikTokers use duct tape to stick a magnet on you.
That’s why they seem magnetic, but of course they pretend.
@melissadesm After many requests, here is the Tik Tok Magnet contest. #SpotlightAPI #vaccine #pfizer #covid #magnetchallenge #conspiracy ♬ SUNNY DAY – Matteo Rossanese Sure, some curiosity always wins and they’ll dive into the pot for both trends no matter what.
However, anyone bucking the Magneto Ball trend should heed the warnings. As for the latter, no one will be the X-Men Magneto any time soon.
The Like trend is one of the most dangerous trends to come from TikTok.
Recently, there have been several hospitalizations of quite young children after ingesting one or more magnets. Nine-year-old Jack Mason underwent extensive surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Glasgow, where his appendix and parts of his small and large intestines were removed.
Speaking to the BBC, Jack’s mother, Carolanne McGeog, said she had been told her son’s problems were serious.
“I was told that the damage these magnets could cause could be so severe that it would not recover,” he said. & # 8220 Through tears, I had to sign a permit for the operation and admit that & # 8216 anything can happen & # 8221
“Jack is lucky to be alive,” he continued. “If his experience can prevent other kids from experiencing the same thing, then I’ll do what he can.”
In the UK, 65 children have been hospitalized for magnet ingestion in the last three years and trends in magnet use could increase these figures.
Magnets of any size can be fatal if swallowed
reports that magnets “can squeeze into the intestines or intestines, compressing the tissues and cutting off the blood supply.” The British National Health Service has been warning parents about the dangers of magnetic beads for years.
Speaking to the BBC, a TikTok spokesperson said the company constantly monitors videos that could harm other users. “Content that promotes, encourages or glorifies behavior that could cause injury is not allowed,” a spokesperson said. & # 8220 Our security team has taken a number of measures to protect our community and we have conducted further proactive investigations for content of this nature & # 8221.
While kids were clearly ingesting magnets long before they saw people putting them on their tongues on TikTok, that doesn’t necessarily mean the TikTok trend isn’t harmful. Anytime users encourage each other to do something potentially dangerous, the platform must intervene to prevent serious injury or hospitalization.
