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The "Milk Crate Challenge" is the latest fad to sweep through TikTok and other video-based social media platforms.
The challenge is to stack milk crates into a triangle and climb up one side and down the other without falling off.
Unfortunately for many, this is significantly tougher to do than it appears. Many who have attempted it have subsequently posted images or videos of the (sometimes severe) injuries they sustained from falling.
Start your Sunday with another #MilkCrateChallenge masterpiece #milkcratepic.twitter.com/xCgliOqPy3— Josh S\u00e1nchez (@Josh S\u00e1nchez) 1629638625
People doing this like they have the best health insurance...pic.twitter.com/6znbsi8h0a— Mike \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Mike \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1629506966
When Fast Companyreached out to TikTok about the Milk Crate Challenge, and others like it, a spokesperson said:
"TikTok prohibits content that promotes or glorifies dangerous acts, and we remove videos and redirect searches to our Community Guidelines to discourage such content. We encourage everyone to exercise caution in their behavior whether online or off."
The site has since taken measures to stop this particular dangerous trend, removing the hashtags #MilkCrateChallenge, #CrateChallenge, and #MilkCrate.
A user searching for any of these tags now sees a warning message instead of videos.
"This phrase may be associated with behaviour or content that violates our guidelines. Promoting a safe and positive experience is TikTok's top priority."
It's easy to see why TikTok thought it was necessary to discourage the challenge when seeing the after photos and videos from those who fell.
Man fxck the #CrateChallenge pic.twitter.com/fDfqFWONuD— Renard Smith Sr. (@Renard Smith Sr.) 1629682841
Doctors and other health professionals are speaking out about the dangers of the challenge too.
What #CrateChallenge can cause off the top of my head:\n\nSpinal Cord Compression with Paralysis\nAnkle Fracture\nHerniated Discs\nElbow Fracture\nSubarachnoid, Intracranial Hemorrhage\nFracture, head of femur\nHemothorax\nRupture of the Spleen\nAny internal organ damage.\nSudden Death.\n\nRT— Doctor Wales\u2122\u2b50\u2695\ufe0f (@Doctor Wales\u2122\u2b50\u2695\ufe0f) 1629878403
Saw my first patient injured doing a milk crate challenge injury. Fell from a height of 4 crates. Luckily for patient it is a nonop clavicle. #HoldMyBeerpic.twitter.com/6y0aD5pImS— BoneDoc, MD, FAAOS (@BoneDoc, MD, FAAOS) 1629913668
\u2018Milk crate challenge\u2019 can mean painful injuries, long waits at emergency rooms, says Houston doctorhttps://bit.ly/3zm4FC0— Houston Chronicle (@Houston Chronicle) 1630059430
Is there an ICD code for injuries related to milk crate challenge yet?https://twitter.com/CaseyNewton/status/1430671446867542024\u00a0\u2026— Hector Yee (@Hector Yee) 1629934166
If I was a doctor and they brought anybody to the hospital with any injury from milk crate challenge...IDC where the injury is....we must do brain surgery.— Ferdinand (@Ferdinand) 1629914885
The ER gonna end up being half COVID Cases & half Milk Crate Challenge Injuries— \u2661\ud835\udc18\ud835\udc14\ud835\udc0d\ud835\udc06\ud835\udc08\ud835\udc0d\u2019 \ud83d\udc10\ud83d\udcab\ud83d\udc94\u2790 (@\u2661\ud835\udc18\ud835\udc14\ud835\udc0d\ud835\udc06\ud835\udc08\ud835\udc0d\u2019 \ud83d\udc10\ud83d\udcab\ud83d\udc94\u2790) 1629861053
Dr. Shawn Anthony told the Today Show:
"Injuries can include broken wrists, shoulder dislocations, ACL and meniscus tears (both are to do with your knee), as well as life-threatening conditions like spinal cord injuries."
"Emergency rooms across the country are already overcrowded and elective surgeries are being delayed or postponed due to lack of hospital beds."
"This social media challenge puts unnecessary additional stress on our health system and health care providers."
Even the FDA warned against the challenge, in reply to Conan O'Brien, though in a much more humorous fashion.
Although we regulate milk, we can't recommend you try that. Perhaps enjoy a nice glass of 2% and return all those crates to the grocery store?— U.S. FDA (@U.S. FDA) 1629748459
Given the mountain of evidence the challenge is dangerous, it's probably best to leave the milk crates at the store.