How the ‘Superman Challenge’ on TikTok went super wrong

You can call yourself Superman. You can act like Superman. But that doesn’t mean you can fly like Superman and be immune to injuries. People have been posting videos on TikTok of themselves attempting the “Superman Challenge” or “Superman Dance Challenge” and, in some cases, facing the severity of what could happen, so to speak.

Some of these videos show people flying for a moment and then successfully landing in the arms of others or on their feet. Other videos don’t end so great, resulting in a series of different crashes that may seem funny to watch at first. But now there are reports from several countries of people who are seriously injured as a result. The Liberal Democratic Party in North Macedonia has even demanded a ban on TikTok after the “Superman Challenge” led to at least 17 students going to hospitals in the capital Skopje and other cities with broken bones, cuts and bruises. as reported by ABC News. It’s even gotten to the point where searching TikTok for “Superman Challenge” returns the following message: “Your safety is important Some online challenges can be dangerous, disturbing or even fabricated. Learn how to recognize harmful challenges so you can protect your health and well-being.”

How the ‘Superman Challenge’ is supposed to work

This is how the “Superman Challenge” should go. People stand in two rows facing each other, extend their hands toward each other and hold hands to form a cradle of arms between them. Then a person not in these lines who plays Superman or Supergirl jumps into this crib. The two lines of people try to catch this superhero with their linked hands and arms and then push their arms up to launch the future superhero into the air. This Super floats in the air for a moment. But since this Super isn’t really Superman or Supergirl and can’t really fly, gravity naturally brings the person back down. That’s when the birthplace of weapons has to catch the Super.

Alternatively, after the Super dives into the cradle’s arms, the cradle throws the Super backwards, forcing the Super to land back on his or her feet. It becomes the Superman Dance Challenge if there is dancing before or after the jumping and throwing sequence.

How the ‘Superman Challenge’ could go wrong Super wrong

Unfortunately, all this might not be a nice fly for a Super-man or Super-girl in the end. All of the above may look quite simple and clear on a video. But in reality, there are many ways this can become a heroic failure, especially if those involved don’t have the right amount of skills, training and experience. For example, the Super may miss the cradle on the first jump or on the way down after the throw. If the Super is thrown from the cradle, the Super may not land on his or her feet. The cradle can also fall as the arms separate when they need to catch the Super.

Either of these abilities can leave all parts of the Super’s body vulnerable to injury. Cuts, bruises, torn muscles, ligaments or tendons, or broken bones can result. Even worse things could happen if the Super were to land on vital structures, such as his or her head or neck. A serious neck injury can lead to paralysis. And you don’t have to be a Brainiac to realize that serious head injuries can be life-threatening.

At the same time, this challenge can be quite challenging for those who form the cradle. They may not be sufficiently armed to handle the force of catching a 100, 125, 150, 175, or even 200 pound flying thing. This can endanger the hands and arms and the various joints. Furthermore, if the bodies are not positioned properly, the force can put far too much pressure on the spine, knees or hips, leading to a variety of possible injuries.

Then a number of videos feature Superman Challenge fakeouts. This is the moment when the Super jumps into the cradle of arms, expecting to be caught, when voilà the two rows of people pull their arms away like a matador pulling a cape away from a charging bull. This bull (beep) movement causes the Super to fall flat to the ground.

‘Superman Challenge’ videos can be super misleading

It’s important to remember what happens on TV, the movies or any type of video can seem deceptively simple. Trying something you see on TikTok can be like trying something you see at a gymnastics competition when you’ve never done gymnastics before. Or it could even be like trying out something you see in a Marvel or DC superhero TV show or movie, having no idea what kind of special effects, wires, props, video editing, or other tricks go into it. apparently house have been used. grown video on social media. In other words, it can be very difficult to separate fact from fiction.

This certainly isn’t the first social media challenge that could be super risky. For example, what I was previously insured for Forbes the boat jumping trend and the fairy flying challenge on TikTok which were both quite dangerous to do. There’s a good chance the Superman Challenge won’t be the last of its kind.

So don’t try any stunts you see on social media without really understanding what might be involved and getting the proper precautions and training. And if your kids try Superman Challenge stuff like that with proper precautions and training, they might not get the proper “supervision” vision.