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It’s no secret that trends on platforms like TikTok and Instagram seem to vanish overnight, yet some stick around much longer than expected. Even as technology advances and new apps emerge, kids often keep returning to the same risky activities packaged in slightly new ways. Parents might assume these trends fade quickly, but the truth is many social media challenges that sparked concern years ago are still very much alive in 2025. Understanding which ones remain popular is key to protecting kids from peer pressure and potential harm. Here are nine social media challenges kids are still doing—and why families should pay attention.
1. The Cinnamon Challenge Still Has Bite
The cinnamon challenge may sound harmless, but swallowing a spoonful of cinnamon without water is not only unpleasant but also dangerous. Kids continue to try it because it seems simple, yet it can cause choking, gagging, or inhalation into the lungs. Social media thrives on short, shocking content, which keeps this challenge alive more than a decade after it first went viral. Parents often think it disappeared years ago, but videos still circulate regularly. The staying power shows how quickly a “fun” idea can outlast its original trend cycle.
2. Tide Pod Variations Haven’t Vanished
While the original Tide Pod challenge faced widespread backlash, versions of it still float around online. Teens now swap detergent pods for other inedible items, daring one another to put them in their mouths. Social media challenges like this survive because they’re outrageous and shocking, making them endlessly shareable. Even though brands and safety groups fought to shut it down, offshoot versions remain part of online culture. It’s proof that banning a dangerous idea doesn’t make it disappear.
3. The Choking Game Keeps Reappearing
Also known as “the pass-out challenge,” this risky activity has been around since long before social media. The digital world, however, amplified its reach, and clips still circulate on TikTok in 2025. Kids are drawn to the idea of experiencing a quick “rush” without realizing the dangers of brain damage or even death. What makes this particular trend so persistent is its illusion of control. Many kids underestimate how quickly things can turn tragic.
4. Milk Crate Stacking Continues to Tempt
Stacking milk crates into a wobbly staircase and trying to climb them seems ridiculous to adults, yet kids still see it as entertaining. Social media challenges like this thrive because they look funny when someone inevitably falls. Injuries ranging from sprains to broken bones are common, but the viral payoff keeps kids trying. In 2025, versions of the challenge resurface every few months. It’s another example of how physical stunts maintain their appeal online.
5. The Salt and Ice Burn Remains Popular
This painful activity involves pressing salt and ice against the skin to create a burning sensation. Even though kids know it can cause serious burns and scarring, the “endurance test” remains attractive to many. Social media keeps it alive because kids want to prove toughness to their peers. Videos of reactions, often painful or dramatic, grab attention quickly. The challenge has proven stubbornly resistant to fading away.
6. Dry Scooping Pre-Workout Powder Persists
Dry scooping—eating a scoop of pre-workout powder without water—gained traction through fitness influencers but soon crossed into teen trends. Kids imitate it without understanding the risks, including choking, heart palpitations, and even hospitalization. Social media challenges often blur the line between fitness and danger, and this one is no exception. Because influencers still feature it, the activity hasn’t lost its edge. Parents may not realize their kids are exposed to fitness risks dressed up as fun dares.
7. The Fire Challenge Hasn’t Burned Out
The fire challenge, where kids apply flammable liquids to their skin and light it briefly, is as dangerous as it sounds. Yet, even in 2025, clips still appear despite countless warnings from safety advocates. Kids often underestimate how fast flames spread or how severe burns can be. The thrill of recording something shocking for online attention keeps this one alive. It remains one of the most alarming social media challenges still happening.
8. Benadryl “Trips” Continue Circulating
Misusing medication like Benadryl to induce hallucinations is another concerning activity that refuses to disappear. The trend gained attention in past years, and clips of kids taking large amounts still surface. Social media challenges like this are especially risky because they involve over-the-counter drugs found in most households. Many kids think it’s harmless since it’s “just allergy medicine,” but overdosing can cause serious health consequences. Despite warnings, the trend lingers on digital platforms.
9. Ghost Pepper and Spicy Food Dares Still Spread
Eating extremely spicy foods, like ghost peppers or hot sauce shots, continues to be a staple of viral content. Unlike some other challenges, this one may seem less severe, but it can still lead to vomiting, severe stomach pain, or even hospitalization. The popularity comes from over-the-top reactions, which play perfectly into short-form video formats. Kids see it as a fun and funny dare rather than a dangerous one. Even in 2025, spicy food challenges remain a reliable way for kids to grab attention.
Why Parents Should Stay Alert to Old Trends
The persistence of these social media challenges shows how easily dangerous activities can outlast their original popularity. Kids are drawn to them because of peer influence, viral attention, and the thrill of risk, often underestimating the consequences. For parents, awareness is key—many assume old trends fade away, but these examples prove otherwise. By keeping an open dialogue and monitoring online activity, families can help kids make safer choices. The reality is that social media challenges may look different in 2025, but the risks behind them remain the same.
Which of these challenges surprised you most to still see in 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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