Viral Danger: Czech Republic Grapples with TikTok-Linked Injuries

5 Kids Injured in TikTok Challenge

Hospital officials warned about the dangers of this challenge, emphasizing that ingesting magnets...

Czech hospital treats 5 children who ingested magnets from TikTok piercing challenge, warning of severe internal injuries & life-threatening complications.

A disturbing social media trend has led to a surge in child hospitalizations. On October 4, Motol University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic, revealed that five children were receiving treatment after ingesting magnets.

The children had attempted a “piercing challenge” inspired by videos on TikTok. This harmful trend involves individuals pretending to have magnetic piercings by placing magnets under their skin, often using deception and editing to create the illusion.

Hospital officials warned about the dangers of this challenge, emphasizing that ingesting magnets can cause severe internal injuries, including bowel obstruction, perforation, and potentially life-threatening complications.

The incident has sparked concerns about social media's influence on children and the need for parental vigilance. Authorities and healthcare professionals urge parents to monitor their children's online activities and educate them about the risks associated with harmful challenges.

Pointers

• Five children hospitalized after ingesting magnets
• Inspired by TikTok's “piercing challenge”
• Risks include bowel obstruction, perforation, and life-threatening complications
• Hospitals and authorities issue warnings
• Parents advised to monitor children's social media activities.

“The children placed sphere-shaped magnets at the tip of their tongues to imitate piercing and then swallowed them by accident, the Motol hospital said in a statement.

Adding that, “one patient was lucky enough to excrete the magnets easily, but other patients remain in hospital and two are likely to undergo acute surgeries today.”

According to the hospital, patients who swallow multiple magnets or a magnet along with a metal object are at risk of internal damage. The magnets can attract each other or the metal object, potentially causing:

• Internal pinching or obstruction
• Intestinal blockage or perforation
• Severe bowel damage
• Life-threatening complications

“They may pull the stomach and the intestine towards each other and damage them or even cause perforation or inflammation," the hospital concluded.