These days, people will do pretty much anything to gain some online clout, whether it’s royally humiliating themselves in public or trying questionable food combinations.
The latest trend to swamp TikTok, however, has the potential to cause lifelong harm, as youngsters are risking permanent disability and even amputation by dropping miscellaneous items onto their feet.
It is as absurd as it sounds, with Gen Z wincing as everything from computer chairs to air fryers plunge onto their toes.
They then rate the pain felt on a scale of one to 10 in the hope that theirvideos garner millions of views – despite experts warning of the risks.
19-year-old Nathan Bolingbroke has 19,000 followers on TikTok, and when he recently took part in the trend, he achieved the feat (no pun intended) of reaching 3.8million views and 350,000 likes.
‘I’d seen it online, so decided to start a series depending on how much traction it got,’ the part-time content creator tells Metro.
‘Part one started with me dropping a teddy bear onto my foot, which scored zero on the pain scale. Then I dropped a hardback book and rated it 3/10.
‘Next was a laptop, which scored a six, and finally, a toaster, both of which were old and lying around the house. The toaster was eight and much closer to the unimaginable pain level.’
Nathan, who lives in Brighton, says it remains his most-viewed video, with over 11,000 people commenting. ‘I’d estimate 75% found it hilarious, 20% were concerned and calling me stupid, and 5% were just the usual bots you get under every post,’ he recalls.
But despite plans to take his challenge to a whole new level, even considering dropping a chair or a hammer onto his feet, Nathan’s internet success was short-lived.
Soon after posting his video on TikTok the platform warned him that he was putting himself at risk and removed the video, citing ‘violent conduct.’
Due to the content being considered as ‘self-harm’, it also meant the student was unable to appeal the decision, and his video will never be reinstated.
‘I knew going into it it would hurt,’ Nathan admits, but adds that he didn’t consider the possible ramifications before his attempt.
‘In hindsight, it seems quite bad, but with the attention and views the trend was gaining, it seemed like a no-brainer in helping to grow my account, which is my ultimate goal.’
Although the teen didn’t suffer any broken bones from his stunt, his pride was damaged as his mates branded him a ‘muppet,’ his mum called him an ‘idiot,’ and he ended up with ‘a lot’ of nasty bruising on his foot.
Despite the agonising pain of dropping a toaster, which made him tear up, Nathan is one of the lucky ones, according to Dr Gareth Nye, a lecturer and researcher at the University of Salford, who says the trend is ‘ridiculous’.
‘At a minimum, people will cause trauma to the foot region, which can range from damage to the bone, nerves, and blood vessels,’ he tells Metro. ‘Heavy enough impact will lead to broken bones in the foot.’
Dr Nye adds that the stunt could also contribute to possible arthritis and long-term pain.
‘Broken bones can also cause infections, and serious breaks will lead to permanent deformity and immobility if not surgically treated,’ he explains.
‘In rare cases, bone breaks can also lead to a complication called a fat embolism. This is where fat tissue is disrupted and enters the bloodstream, blocking blood vessels around the lungs and heart.
‘As the foot is not well protected by muscle tissue, nerve and blood vessel damage is very common in foot trauma. This can cause loss of blood flow to the toes and foot, prompting tissue death or loss of feeling/movement in areas. These factors may lead to the need for amputation of toes or even the whole foot.’
So, if the risk of serious harm is so great – why are so many people still taking that chance?
From a TikToker’s perspective, Nathan acknowledges that ‘people like seeing other people get hurt to a certain extent,’ citing shows such as You’ve Been Framed as an example.
‘Audiences find it hilarious. Watching this content gives them a dopamine rush, although this particular trend probably does go too far at times,’ he says.
Psychologist Elina Teboul, author of Feminine Intelligence, warns that what we’re witnessing ‘is symptomatic of a broader issue.’
‘In an overcrowded digital landscape, sensation-seeking behaviours become shortcuts to visibility,’ she explains to Metro. ‘The more extreme the stunt, the greater the attention.’
Her recommendation? ‘Self-awareness, mindfulness, and relational intelligence can create pathways to more authentic connections. When young people develop these skills, they become less susceptible to the allure of dangerous trends and the hollow validation they provide.’
In 2021, TikTok amped up its restrictions surrounding viral challenges, such as the ‘skull-breaker’, which involved two people kicking the legs from under a third, making them fall over, often causing serious injuries.
Another was the ‘blackout challenge,’ which encouraged users to asphyxiate themselves until they lost consciousness. Four British teenagers are alleged to have died following the trend and last month their parents launched a lawsuit against TikTok, blaming the platform for their deaths.
The hashtag for the challenge has since been blocked, meaning members can no longer search for such videos, while TikTok’s policy now states: ‘At TikTok, we welcome our community to participate in fun and creative trends. Most activities or challenges are appropriate for everyone and bring people together, but some may carry a risk of injury.
‘Because we aim to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, we restrict behaviours and content that may be harmful and do not allow the promotion of dangerous activities and challenges for our users.’
Users are also directed towards the Safety Centre, dedicated to advising on challenges and hoaxes.
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