Despite their bad rap, many social media challenges are harmless fun. However, some are dangerous and irresponsible, and one recent stunt has left a 9-year-old boy with severe burns.
The Lancashire Township Police Department shared details about the incident in a news release titled, “Hot water challenge prank gone wrong.”
The police department explains that the incident occurred on July 29. A 12-year-old boy allegedly pranked his 9-year-old brother with the “hot water challenge.” The unnamed child boiled water in the microwave. He then poured it on his 9-year-old brother while he was sleeping, causing “severe burns” to his neck and chest.
Authorities say they are investigating the incident. They also urge parents to monitor their children’s internet usage and provide a printable brochure. While many details remain unclear, the news release has an update that says the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office is charging the 12-year-old with “Aggravated Assault and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.”
What Is The Social Media Hot Water Challenge?
The Lancashire Township Police Department blames the incident on the “Hot Water Challenge,” although there is very little information about the challenge online. The Center for Injury Research and Prevention warns about the trend, but in an article from 2017. That same year, Time reported that multiple children suffered severe burns from the challenge and one reportedly died.
In 2019, CNN reported on the “Boiling Water Challenge.” However, this challenge is quite different. The idea is to throw boiling water into the air while it’s extremely cold outside. If it’s done right, the water should turn into snow midair. Unfortunately, many people threw boiling hot water into the air, and the wind blew it into their faces before it cooled.
The most recent trend resembling the hot water challenge is the “fake” hot water challenge. During the prank, one person pours water, which looks like it’s boiling, on another person and records their reactions. Some pranksters even go the extra mile and use something like antiperspirant so the spray looks like steam. A good example of the challenge is on the @davexbritney TikTok channel, where Britney pretends to pour scalding hot water on her boyfriend.