DAYTON — From eating laundry detergent pods to getting run over by a train, these challenges have already gone viral on the internet, and now there is new concern over the latest challenge -- teens recording themselves pulling guns on each other.
“They feel like they’re invincible. They are saying nothing bad will happen to me. It might happen to someone else, but not me,” said Dr. Latisha Gathers-Hutchins, clinical psychologist at Dayton Children’s Hospital. “Until they are about 25 their brains aren’t even developed. They have a harder time managing peer pressure. They are more compulsive.”
This month in Memphis, a teen was shot in the head while playing what is called “The No-Lackin’ Challenge,” which kids pull loaded guns on their unsuspecting friends. The teen accused of pulling the trigger in that case is facing charges of reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a handgun.
While there haven’t been any local incidents involving “The No-Lackin’ Challenge” there have been other dangerous viral stunts.
A Warren County teen was taken to the hospital in January for trying the “Tide-Pod Challenge.”
In Miamisburg, teen Joseph Fernandez was killed while attempting to let a train pass over him. His family said the teen was trying to recreate an internet stunt.
Gathers-Hutchins said there are things parents can do to try and help their child not become susceptible to these types of stunts.
“Help their kids engage in some problem solving skills, working through some problems about what’s safe and what’s not safe,” the psychologist said, adding that it’s important to talk to your children about what is going on in their lives.
