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What is TikTok's dangerous 'Tranquilizer Challenge'? Why should parents be concerned?

In Mexico, the bizarre TikTok challenge sent 15 children who nearly died to the hospital after they took sedatives

Dangerous challenges are not new on TikTok. After the ‘Kool-Aid Man’ and the ‘Bark At Your Dog', a new challenge is going viral on the TikTok platform. The so-called ‘Tranquilizer Challenge’ invites young people to take potentially dangerous drugs and has already sent several victims to the hospital.

The situation is such that it is causing concern among parents and authorities. Tranquilizer Challenge is a viral video challenge circulating on social media, especially TikTok, where groups of students take tranquilizers and see who can stay awake the longest.

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What is the 'Tranquilizer Challenge' all about?

"The last one to fall asleep wins," this is what the challenge says. The viral ‘Tranquilizer Challenge', on TikTok, involves taking clonazepam, a drug prescribed for epileptic seizures and anxiety, and then staying awake for as long as possible despite its sedative effects. Challengers record themselves and others participating and post the video to social media accounts with the hashtag #tranquilizerchallenge. A user wrote on Twitter, "TikTok approved of Tranquilizer challenges for kids! If that's not alarming, you really need to wake the f**k up! It's not okay!!!!!! It's sick and repulsive. F**k China!"

In Mexico, this bizarre TikTok challenge sent 15 children who nearly died while trying to follow this trend, as per New York Post. The incident reportedly occurred in the north-central city of Guanajuato, where more than a dozen fifth and sixth graders, all of whom are probably between the ages of ten and twelve, participated in this challenge, where they took a sedative before competing to see who could remain awake the longest.

Why should parents be concerned? 

Parents have been told to keep a watch on their children’s social media use after health officials issued a warning about the social media stunt, calling it risky and advising parents to inform their children of the dangers involved. However, pertaining to the incident, there was no information on how victims obtained the tranquilizers.

Teenagers taking prescription drugs like clonazepam, which has potentially fatal adverse effects, are taking part in this challenge. Drowsiness is a typical adverse effect of the medication clonazepam, which is used to treat seizures, panic attacks, and anxiety. Peer pressure to take part in this challenge may affect students. It is highly unsafe for minors to take prescription drugs without a doctor's prescription. It is harmful to anyone to take large doses of medication outside of the recommended time frame on the label.