TikTok squishy toy trend caused ‘traumatising’ burns
A dangerous social media trend of heating squishy toys in the microwave has left a girl with “traumatising” burns, a parent has warned.
Charlotte, 42, from Hartcliffe in Bristol, said her 10-year-old daughter Bella copied the trend and could be scarred for life after suffering serious facial injuries.
Charlotte added that school administrators and parents should be made aware of this trend, which is being shared on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
A TikTok spokesperson said any content that encourages dangerous behavior that could lead to serious injury is a violation of the company’s community guidelines and will be removed.
Rhiain Reynolds, policy officer at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said “misuse of household appliances can have devastating consequences”.
“RoSPA urges parents and carers to talk to children about the dangers of copying online trends and to emphasize that microwave ovens are not toys,” he said.
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Charlotte said she saw videos of this trend on TikTok [Charlotte]
Bella was playing at a friend’s house when she copied the viral trend.
“When he walked in I immediately saw that his face was bright red, it looked like he had been hit in the face, he had a burn mark and his skin was missing and he had blisters,” said Charlotte.
“They couldn’t feel how hot it was inside because of the silicone outer layer, so his friend squeezed it and it instantly exploded on both of them.
“She was in absolute tears.”
Charlotte said the toy was unbranded and purchased from a local store.
NHS I recommend you call 111 If your child has a burn or scald and you’re not sure what to do.
If they get a very large or deep burn or scald on their face, genitals or lower half, the NHS recommends: contact your nearest A&E or call 999.
Charlotte worries her daughter’s scars will remain with her for the rest of her life [Charlotte]
Charlotte said other parents informed her of a TikTok trend that may have been behind the incident.
“I researched and saw videos of kids and adults showing ‘what fun’ it is to put toys in the microwave to make them more elastic,” he said.
Charlotte posted on Facebook warning other parents about the trend.
Gemma Wells, from Bristol, said her child’s face was severely burned after he did the same thing.
In the photo, there is a wound on his cheek that collects blisters.
“This was one of the scariest things ever. It was traumatizing,” he said on Facebook.
Charlotte says government ban on children accessing social media could protect children from harmful material [Charlotte]
The government is currently Counseling on completely banning children from using social media.
Social platforms operating in the UK They already need to show their efforts making children’s experiences safer.
Charlotte said the ban would “help” protect children from the harmful content that caused Bella’s hurt.
“I think this is a good idea.
“There are many apps that appear to be child-friendly, but they can actually be dangerous for children. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else,” he added.
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