The Tide Pod Challenge Is Exactly What Is Wrong With This World

I didn't think it was real. I thought it was another "fake scare" type of thing that floats around on social media now and then. But no, it's a thing. A stupid, stupid thing.  What is it, you ask? Well, it's kind of similar to other "challenges" you've seen before. Kinda like the Ice Bucket Challenge or the Cinnamon Challenge, only more dangerous and deadly.

Apparently teenagers are challenging each other to eat detergent pods. They film themselves doing it and put it on the internet. I have no idea why this is a thing or why they think it's cool or fun or hip or whatever the kids say these days.  According to the Washington Post,

Last year, U.S. poison control centers received reports of more than 10,500 children younger than 5 who were exposed to the capsules. The same year, nearly 220 teens were reportedly exposed, and about 25 percent of those cases were intentional, according to data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers.  So far in 2018, there have been 37 reported cases among teenagers — half of them intentional, according to the data.

THIRTY SEVEN.  What on earth is happening?! What are these kids thinking?  I mean, I get that a little kid might see one of those things and think it's candy or something, but you're in  your teens. You'd think you'd be able to read a package and see that, oh, hey, this is POISON. I guess poisoning yourself is cool? Eugh. This is the epitome of dumbassery. Teenagers, you are not this stupid. Knock it off. You're not invincible, and you can and will get hurt doing this. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers,

Children who have been exposed to the capsules have been hospitalized with vomiting, breathing difficulties and loss of consciousness. And the consequences may be much worse.  The laundry detergent packets pose two potential problems. Children and teens can aspirate on the liquid by inhaling it into their lungs, or they can become ill by ingesting it — experiencing a change in blood pressure and heart rate, losing consciousness or having seizures.

Seriously! Knock it off! And get off my lawn while you're at it!

Detergently yours,

Behka