Kansas City, MO – At least no one is eating laundry detergent this time. The latest video craze on the Internet is called the 'milk crate challenge'. People attempting to step their way into viral fame and earn bragging points are hurting themselves, as viewers laugh, wince and cringe.
The challenges is simple, yet high risk. Stack milk crates in a single line, pyramid-style and step up, over, and down. Some make it. Many certainly do not, crashing down as the precarious lightweight crates slip away underfoot. Hurt pride, sure. But there have been broken bones, sprained ankles, cracked ribs... worse injuries.
“That simple challenge, seems like a fun TikTok thing to do," says Dr. Ryan Jacobsen, with the University of Kansas Health System. "You might end up in the ICU, might end up in the ER, might have an incredible healthcare cost.”
The concern over injuries has been recognized by the social media platform where the challenge has gained a lot of views. TikTok , now, going so far as to issue a warning and begin to remove the videos.
“TikTok prohibits content that promotes or glorifies dangerous acts, and we remove videos and redirect searches to our Community Guidelines to discourage such content,” the social media platform said in a statement. “We encourage everyone to exercise caution in their behavior whether online or off.”