Actress Candace Cameron Bure has launched a "wave of gratitude" challenge on social media, encouraging people to express gratitude by listing three things they're thankful for and tagging friends and family. Bure believes that practicing gratitude can change one's perspective and bring hope, even in tough circumstances. She is grateful for her close-knit family and their shared faith, as well as her career and the opportunity to work on quality programming for families. Bure is also looking forward to her husband's cooking skills as he prepares a delicious Thanksgiving meal.
Bored teenagers on TikTok started a social media challenge involving stealing Kias and Hyundais using a specific method and posting the results online. The trend has since spread nationwide, causing deadly car accidents, a class-action lawsuit, and drops in the automakers' stock prices. The Kia Boys, a general collective of teenagers who have used a particular hack to steal cars, have stolen tens of thousands of cars and caused property damage and fatal accidents. Kia and Hyundai dealerships are reportedly overwhelmed with all of the damaged cars that owners are finding abandoned.
A 16-year-old boy was severely burned while attempting a social media challenge. His mother is urging other teenagers not to try dangerous and risky challenges that they see on social media. She also warned parents to be careful about what their children are watching on their devices. The boy is currently recovering in the hospital and is facing complications such as pneumonia.
A 16-year-old North Carolina high school athlete suffered burns on nearly 80% of his body after attempting a TikTok challenge that involved using a lighter and a can of spray paint as a torch. Mason Dark is now in the UNC Burn Center and is expected to remain there for at least six months. The challenge has prompted warnings from authorities about the dangers of social media challenges.
Attorneys general from 17 states have urged the federal government to recall millions of Kia and Hyundai cars due to a sharp increase in thefts fueled by a viral social media challenge. Some Kia and Hyundai cars sold in the US over the last decade do not have engine immobilizers, a standard feature on most cars that prevents the engine from starting unless the key is present. Videos circulating on TikTok have shown how people can start Kia and Hyundai models by using only a screwdriver and a USB cable. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has blamed the stolen car trend for 14 reported crashes and eight deaths.
A 13-year-old boy from Ohio died after overdosing on Benadryl as part of a TikTok challenge where participants ingest 12-to-14 pills of Benadryl at a time to induce a hallucination. The challenge has been labeled "dangerous" by the parent company of Benadryl, Johnson & Johnson, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned in 2020 that parents should store medications such as Benadryl out of the reach of children. TikTok has stated that they strictly prohibit and remove content that promotes dangerous behavior, and have blocked searches for years to discourage copycat behavior.
A 13-year-old Ohio teen, Jacob Stevens, has died after participating in a TikTok challenge that involved overdosing on Benadryl. The social media challenge advised users to take 12 to 14 pills to hallucinate. TikTok has removed all videos relating to the challenge and is now offering resources for substance abuse. Local substance abuse officials are emphasizing the importance of using over-the-counter drugs responsibly and as intended. Jacob's parents described him as well-mannered, funny, and loving.
