What is the 'hot gum' challenge? Why you shouldn't be trying this viral trend
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Another day brings another social media challenge. While a lot of viral challenges can be fun, helping you beat the mudanity of daily life, some can be harmful. TikTok challenges in particular have come under the scanner as the the platform's demographic includes children and teens who are quite impressionable. have become a popular trend among users of the social media platform.
Most viral challenges are harmless and can range from dance choreography to lip-syncing to comedic skits and are often started by popular TikTok creators. But it is important for users to exercise caution when participating in challenges. Consider the potential consequences before sharing them with their audience. One current challenge, which is making headlines, falls in this 'possibly dangerous' category. On TikTok, it is called the ‘Hot Gum’ challenge.
RELATED ARTICLES
Top 5 AI websites that make life easy and work sorted
National Zoo Lovers Day: History, facts and 3 ways to celebrate
What is the viral challenge?
Spice King Cameron Walker, whose TikTok is full of videos showing Cameron tasting the hottest meals available, revived the TikTok gum challenge. He not only knows how to eat spicy food, but it appears that his taste buds have developed a tolerance for spice levels that are in the torture zone for ordinary folk. Therefore, Cameron's challenge to his followers and fans is not exactly fair.
The Trouble Bubble Challenge or "hot gum" challenge, according to Cameron's TikTok, revolves around the Trouble Bubble gum with a score of "16 million Scoville units, and you have to chew it up long enough to blow a bubble." The amount of a chemical molecule known as capsaicin, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, "determines how hot a pepper feels; the amount of 'heat' is expressed using a tool called the Scoville Scale." It appears that 16 million Scoville units is the maximum.
Police issue warning about the challenge
Police issued a warning after "multiple children at an elementary school in Orange went to the hospital on Tuesday after chewing the gum," according to Boston's 7 News WHDH. According to reports, the gum contains the same active component as police pepper spray but is eight times hotter.
"Oh the Chinese are laughing at Americans and their TikTok nonsense. Now Americans are chewing hot 16 million scoville unit bubble gum in elementary schools. You know China bans this crap from their kids . Hummm" - @brlt
Oh the Chinese are laughing at Americans and their TikTok nonsense. Now Americans are chewing hot 16 million scoville unit bubble gum in elementary schools. You know China bans this crap from their kids . Hummm
— BRLT (@brlt) April 6, 2023
A few kids experienced an adverse reaction just from touching the gum because it is so potent. The son of Kathleen Woodard tested Trouble Bubble and saw how several kids reacted to it. The results are telling. Watch here to know why you shouldn't be jumping on the bandwagon of this particular online dare.
