Sudbury area mother issues warning about 'dangerous' TikTok challenge
A northern Ontario mother is warning parents and guardians about a social media challenge that tricks others into becoming an unsuspecting victim -- including her daughter, who broke her arm.
The Grade 8 student in the Greater Sudbury area now has a broken humerus after participating in what turned out to be a TikTok prank called the 'Skull Breaker Challenge', Chantelle Gorham told CTV News.
It’s now preventing her daughter from participating in her everyday activities, Gorham said.
"I’m an active ringette player, I snowboard, I’m an artist. I can’t do all that now because of my arm, so I’m angry but also upset," the teen said.
"What it entails is two people approach a third person, that third person is normally in the middle and they say 'okay we’re all going to jump' and so you jump and the outside people instead of jumping, take out the feet of the middle person that is jumping," the concerned parent said.
"Ultimately, the goal is to cause damage to break your skull because they often land on their head."
Gorham wants parents, guardians, as well as other children to know that this TikTok prank is still circulating and to be aware of the damage it could cause.
"Your kids are at risk. If someone asks them to jump, it’s no longer an innocuous suggestion or game. There could be some serious damage and people need to know how violent that fall is when you’re airborne and someone takes your legs out from under you," she said.
The Greater Sudbury Police Service is investigating the incident and said there could be serious consequences when it comes to certain trends and challenges on social media.
"There are some that are dangerous to yourself and others and in those situations, criminal charges could apply, including mischief, theft, assault, sexual assault, indecent acts," said Kaitlyn Dunn, a spokesperson for Sudbury police.
"So, really taking into mind why you’re doing the challenge and what the outcome could be. No trend or challenge is worth a criminal charge in order to gain viewership."
A Sudbury-based agency called Compass, which deals with child and youth mental health, said although teenagers may physically look mature, their brains are still developing.
"Part of your brain that’s developing, that controls what we call 'executive functioning,' which is your decision making, risk assessment, being able to think about if and when, is really in development," said Heather Haynes, a clinical manager with Compass.
"So, teenagers, generally speaking, have limited capacity to think about the consequences of their actions."
As for Gorham’s daughter, she will be seen by her doctor in a couple of weeks and it will be determined at that point if she will need surgery.
Social media challenges and trends invite people to create their own videos based on performing a certain task.
In its Community Guidelines, TikTok said, "We do not permit users to share content depicting, promoting, normalizing or glorifying dangerous acts that may lead to serious injury or death. We also do not allow content which promotes or endorses collective participation in dangerous or harmful activities that violate any aspect of our community guidelines."
The social media platform advises users to report to them content that violates the community guidelines.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.