Two days ago, we wrote about the skullbreaker challenge, the latest trend to get into TikTok.
It involves two friends tricking a third friend into jumping, then swiping his or her legs under her as she lands.
Cue high fives, laughter and good cheer.
Except, someone has died to the challenge.
And plenty of others have suffered horrific consequences.
And Now, TikTok is Removing The Skullbreaker Challenge Videos
TikTok is the platform where the skull breaker challenge was going viral.
The more viral videos the platform has, the more users they’ll have. Which, in turn, means they’ll make more money through advertising.
Thankfully this time, TikTok is choosing to forgo the potential profits (and losses) and decide to stop the Skullbreaker challenge on their platform.
A spokesperson for the platform said that they hold “the safety and well-being” of their users as the “top priority”.
They say that the Skullbreaker challenge violates their Community Guidelines, which clearly states that content that “encourages, promotes, or glorifies dangerous challenges that might lead to injury” are not allowed.
Any content relating to the Skullbreaker challenge will be removed, they assured.
Governments Issuing Strict Warnings Against Challenge
The Skullbreaker challenge hasn’t caught on to Singapore or its surrounding regions. Yet.
But that’s not stopping Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia from issuing warnings against the challenge.
The Thai police emphasised that anyone caught guilty of injuring others can be fined up to 200,000 baht (~S$8,900) and jailed up to 10 years.
In Malaysia, authorities are asking for parents to stop their kids from attempting the challenge on their friends.
In Singapore, the TOUCH Cyber Wellness uploaded a Facebook post teaching parents how to speak to their kids about the challenge.
Measures suggested include:
- Telling them about the consequences of doing the challenge.
- Teaching their kids emergency first aid techniques just in case
And before you ask, is that necessary? Our kids do know better, right?
It is. Kids are impressionable, especially if they feel they have something to prove. That or they just want to be cool in their friends’ eyes.
Otherwise, why would youths in Singapore drink from bottles in FairPrice and place them back onto the shelves?
Or simply do pushups on a busy road?
So please, don’t do the Skullbreaker challenge. It can break your skull. Literally.
