The Crazy Fire Challenge

As kids most of us have done some things on a dare. A friend of mine dared me to squeeze a girls butt, and I did. Iir wasn't right, but I never hurt anybody, least of all myself. Although I did get smacked in the head a few times, the sting wore off, I'd go home, come back the next day, and commit to another dumb dare.

But these days kids are taking dumb dares to a dangerous new level.

Teenagers and preteens are flooding social media with videos of themselves attempting a pair of dangerous games that have parents and authorities concerned. Several news outlets, have documented the serious injuries suffered by teens who've doused their chests with flammable liquids, such as rubbing alcohol, and set themselves on fire as camera phones roll in hopes of achieving Internet infamy.

The fire challenge, as it is known, has dubious competition in the form of the pass-out challenge, also called  "the blackout," "space monkey," "flatliner" or "suffocation roulette." 

One has only to search social media to find videos of teens, and some psycho adults hyperventilating before allowing someone to apply pressure to their chests. The participants, seeking a euphoric high, are then seen fainting. Some even suffer seizures as friends laugh in the background. But authorities say the practice can lead to brain damage or even death.

Meanwhile, fire challenge participants flirt with second- and third-degree burns, like those suffered by 14-year-old Michael Symonette, of Crosby, Texas. He set himself ablaze at his family's home, but couldn't put out the flames fast enough in the shower.

A 15-year-old Lexington, K.Y., boy suffered similar injuries when he foolishly set himself on fire trying to emulate others online.

While searches for #firechallange and #passoutchallenge turn up videos of teens attempting these risky stunts, one will also find photographs of cautionary tales from participants who've learned the hard way, documenting their wounds and warning others to play it safe.

Authorities across the country are asking parents to talk to their children and warn them of the dangers of these "games." 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. A nation of great thinker's must be raised one at a time. While the fact that setting yourself on fire may cause death should be a foregone conclusion. The fact of the matter is, common sense is not common. What we teach our children must counteract what the media has to offer or them. Or else they will be raised by perverse outside influences instead of influences of love and nurturing.

PR