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Start Talking!
Know! What’s Trending – the Laundry Pod Challenge
2/6/2018
If you are raising teenagers, you have no doubt heard of some of the
ridiculous internet challenges that exist among this age group. While
some of these new age “dares” are silly and harmless, many more are
dangerous and even deadly. One such dare currently trending is called
the ‘Tide Pod Challenge.’
It has nothing to do with laundry and everything to do with getting
“internet famous.” The videos that have spread like wildfire across
social media look something like this – laughing, joking teens sink
their teeth into one of the colorful, dessert-like looking laundry
pods, then cough and gag while toxic, stain-fighting chemicals ooze
from their mouths. The purpose? A few laughs from their friends and as
many social media views as possible.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers, however, says the
‘Tide Pod Challenge’ is no joke. These pods have caused children to be
hospitalized with difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, and
temporary vision loss due to chemical burns to the eye. Additionally,
Consumer Reports says the ingredients in these laundry pods can burn
the mouth, digestive system and stomach, cause gastrointestinal
distress and respiratory arrest. If the laundry pods make their way
into the bloodstream or organs, they can be fatal.
While concerns surrounding these types of detergent pods are not new,
we used to worry that children under the age of five would
unintentionally ingest them. Who would have guessed that our 13 to
19-year-olds would be intentionally biting into them?
What is a parent to do? By reading this tip, you are already taking a
step in the right direction by becoming AWARE. But you must also be
aware that as this internet challenge fades out, another is sure to
follow, which is why it is so important to talk with teens about the
health and safety dangers of this and other online challenges.
Here are some points to keep in mind as you talk to teens:
Don’t assume your child won’t try it: Remember, a teen’s brain is not
fully developed – impulsivity along with peer pressure and the
competitive desire to one-up a peer are all powerful influencers.
Set clear boundaries: Share your expectations and what you consider to
be acceptable and unacceptable behavior. What your child thinks is
okay, may not be okay with you.
State (and restate) the obvious: While biting into a laundry detergent
pod seems quite obviously NOT okay, make no assumptions when it comes
to your child’s safety.
Prompt critical thinking: Ask your child, “What do you think could
happen if you do this?” In the face of such a challenge, help your
child learn to step back for a moment and apply basic logic and reason
before making a decision that could impact his/her health and safety,
as well as your trust.
Keep it positive: Though you may be tempted to tell your teen about all
the possible consequences, remember that youth are hard-wired to defend
against negative messages or scare tactics. Take a step back and
emphasize what your child should do, like resisting peer pressure and
making healthy decisions.
It would be naive to think we will ever keep up with all the latest
internet tends, dangerous or not. What we can do is talk to our
children, set clear boundaries, and teach them to think critically
before the next risky challenge presents itself.
*If you or someone you know ingests a laundry pod, or other toxic
substance, call the National Poison Help Hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
Learn how to get your drug abuse prevention conversation started at StartTalking.Ohio.Gov.
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