‘French Scar’ Challenge: Should you be worried about TikTok's latest self-harming trend?
The latest controversial trend to have taken over TikTok is the "French Scar" challenge. The trend invites teenagers to inflict bruises on their faces until they leave a mark. This has raised concerns for young people, specially school-going children.
The trend started in France, hence the name, although it has gone viral in other counties like Italy. It's not the first time that Italian regulators have acted in response to safety concerns over TikTok. Back in 2021, the country's data protection watchdog intervened due to concerns about children's safety related to an alleged "blackout" challenge. Reports said a minor died while performing the challenge.
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What is the French Scar trend all about?
French scar is a striking and dangerous trend that has emerged among young people in Italy, and it's spreading on TikTok like never before. It is a self-harming practice consisting of horizontal bruises on the face that is called the French scar. A user wrote, "French Scar, the latest challenge on #TikTok: kids in class with bruises on their faces. The principals' alarm #frenchscare".
French Scar, the latest challenge on #TikTok: kids in class with bruises on their faces. The principals' alarm #frenchscare pic.twitter.com/6WMJUFxcbU
— Biological (@sharon_wisner) February 12, 2023
According to The Print, Italy's antitrust authority recently said that it had opened an investigation into the Chinese-owned app TikTok as it allegedly breaches its rules by allowing the publication of "dangerous content" inciting suicide, self-harm, and poor nutrition.
Why should we be concerned?
The goal of the challenge is to appear tougher and bold while feigning involvement in a fight. It is clear that what is actually achieved is a transient deformation of the face, the effects of which, however, can linger for several weeks and can even result in major skin damage.
Several dermatologists have weighed in on the situation, highlighting the risk of the apparently trivial challenge. Giampiero Girolomoni, director of the dermatology division of the integrated university hospital of Verona, told TechGameWorld, "The bruise could, in fact turn into an angioma, or a skin imperfection that appears in the form of red-purple spots of various shapes and sizes, characterized by small red dots surrounded by blood vessels. In this case it could take years for it to disappear."