TikTok Drinking Challenge
Not a day goes by without media coverage of new trends on TikTok. TikTok is known for user-generated videos that cover a wide range of content, from DIYs and humorous sketches to recipes and drinking challenges. Many of these challenges are aimed at older people who can legally drink, creating a disconnect between the target audience and the audience (often underage) watching.
Teenagers between the ages of 10 and 18 make up the largest percentage of users on the platform (25%). This is in line with a 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center, which found that 67% of US teens have used TikTok at least once, and 16% use it “almost always.” I admit there is. This popularity among adolescents and teens users will be appreciated by parents, caregivers and teachers alike who know how easily this vulnerable population can be influenced by her content and peers online. should be cause for concern.
The presence of alcohol on social media is well documented. The study, published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, looked at the top 100 videos on TikTok containing the hashtag #alcohol and looked at trends in categories such as user attitudes toward alcohol and levels of alcohol use. They found that most videos had sentiments that recommended alcohol (98%) and often depicted heavy alcohol consumption (61%). Based on these findings, caregivers should be aware of the growing drinking problem on TikTok.
Below are some common drinking challenges and the health risks they can pose.
1.BORG (Black Out Rage Gallon)
In the spring of 2023, the BORG (Blackout Rage Gallon) trend started to spread on TikTok. The challenge features filling a one-gallon container with a mixture of alcohol, water, and an electrolyte drink (often Pedialyte). The general idea is that by intentionally rehydrating while drinking, water and electrolytes slow down the alcohol absorption process, thus reducing hangovers.
Is it effective? not exactly. Forty-six University of Massachusetts students were hospitalized with alcohol-related symptoms after participating in a challenge at an off-campus event. The real danger, as our students found out, is in the recipe.
When decomposed, the amount of alcohol per volume (ABV) contained in BORG is astonishing. Some recipes call for 1/2 gallon of vodka, which is equivalent to about 43 glasses of alcohol per full gallon. Consuming such a large amount of alcohol falls into the category of binge eating and has many of the same dangerous side effects.
Dangerous side effects of BORG:
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2. PK (Player Knockout) Challenge
PK drinking challenges, where creators take part in challenges and games with other influencers and viewers, have gained popularity in recent times, with disastrous results. These challenges are often live-streamed and seen as a way to gain followers and interact with other content creators. Unfortunately, loser penalties often include binge eating. This resulted in the deaths of several influencers who were participating.
Influencer Zhong Yuan Huang Ge, 27, participated in a drinking challenge on Douyin, the Chinese version of Tik-Tok. During the livestream, Zhong was seen drinking several bottles of Baijiu, a popular Chinese liquor known for its high alcohol content (50-60% ABV), and was watched by an audience of 176,000 followers. seen. The next day, he was found dead of alcohol poisoning in his home.
Like many other TikTok drinking challenges, the PK Challenge forces participants to binge eat and drink, often suffering from many of the same consequences.
Dangerous Side Effects of the PK Drinking Challenge:
- amnesia
- my liver hurts
- brain injury
- alcoholism
- death
3. Neknominate (aka NekNominate)
Neknominate began as an online drinking challenge where participants filmed themselves chugging down a pint of alcohol (often beer) and uploaded the footage. Then nominate another person to do the same (or worse) within her next 24 hours. The game quickly evolved to include drinking stronger drinks and engaging in dangerous activities immediately after or during drinking.
This risk-taking behavior exposes those engaged in Neknomination to risks such as: alcohol-related injuries As well as many of the physical side effects already associated with heavy drinking. Sadly, Neknomination is believed to have killed at least five people between the ages of 19 and 29.
Dangerous Side Effects of the Neknominate Challenge:
- stroke
- my liver hurts
- brain injury
- alcoholism
- death
4. Eyeball Ring (aka Vodka Eyeball Ring)
Eyeball rings are another type of drinking challenge seen on TikTok as they deviate from the normal amount of drinking.
Eyeballing is the practice of pouring alcohol (often vodka) into the eye socket and absorbing it through the mucous membranes into the bloodstream. It is believed that alcohol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, shortening the time it takes to get drunk. Because less alcohol is absorbed this way, many medical experts quickly denounced the claims of rapid intoxication.
Dangerous eye effects include:
- Corneal abrasions and scars
- eye infection
- visual impairment
- complete vision loss
5. Rainbow Drink Challenge
Despite seeming less focused on the end goal of intoxication, there are still risks in the Rainbow Drink Challenge. In this challenge, the drinker is asked to consume all the colors of the rainbow (7 drinks total) in one bar crawl or one of his drinking days.
The drinking requirement puts this challenge straight into the heavy drinking category. This is defined as drinking 5 or more drinks for a man and 4 or more drinks for a woman on a single occasion.
Dangerous side effects of the Rainbow Drink Challenge:
- dehydration
- my liver hurts
- amnesia
- alcoholism
6. First drink, last drink challenge
The #FirstDrinkLastDrink hashtag has over 50 million views on TikTok. The “First Drink, Last Drink” Challenge is a video trend where users capture friends and family sipping their first and last alcoholic drink of the night. Often people are seen disheveled and drunk by the end of the video.
There are no specific drinking guidelines or restrictions for this task, but it often leads to alcohol addiction and can have many negative side effects.
Dangerous Side Effects of the First Drink and Last Drink Challenge:
- dehydration
- adjustment problem
- poor decision making
- Blackout
Does TikTok Take Enough Measures to Protect Underage Users?
In its safety and civility guidelines, TikTok says it disables hashtags it deems dangerous and does not allow them to promote criminal activity that could harm people. However, underage drinking is not directly addressed and could easily fall into that category.
TikTok claims that user safety is a top priority, and what it calls “young” users (ages 13 to 17) has an age limit (13 to have an account, direct message 16 years old) is provided for use. age). However, age restrictions are easily circumvented and there is no guaranteed way to stop these young users from accessing dangerous content.
What can caregivers do?
TikTok’s “Parents’ Guide” page encourages caregivers to openly discuss rules to follow on the platform, privacy features, and personal expectations and guidelines from families.
Here are some other suggestions for making sure your children and teens are safe on our platform:
- Understand TikTok’s policy on privacy and safety guidelines.
- The Family Pairing feature allows parents to place content controls on their child/teenager accounts.
- Be aware of the Teen Appeal process for age verification.
Overall, direct and clear communication is the best course of action when talking to adolescents about the unsafe drinking habits seen on TikTok.
support is available
If you struggle with binge eating or frequent alcohol abuse, it’s important to know that there are resources and support available. There are also treatment centers specifically designed to help teens overcome addiction. If you would like to learn more about the treatment options available to you and your family, Contact Your Care Provider today.
