The Camden County Prosecutor is urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of social media “challenges” after two minors are facing charges related to the TikTok “skull-breaker challenge.”
The two minors were charged with third-degree aggravated assault and third-degree endangering an injured victim. Their names were not released due to their ages.
The challenge involves two people trying to trip a third person as they stand side-by-side and the person in the middle jumps up into the air.
“Please talk to your children about the potential consequences when you participate in a ‘challenge’ or online trend,” acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill Mayer said in a statement. “While the challenges may seem funny or get views on social media platforms, they can have serious and long-lasting health consequences.”
A Westfield middle school student was hospitalized last month after sustaining injuries in the challenge. Schools and police departments around the state have been issuing warnings to parents about the situation.
TikTok is a social media app that allows users to make short videos, typically set to music. There have been several controversies surrounding the app, including security concerns due to the fact that the app is owned by a Chinese company.