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Article CommentaryAnalysis and Commentary

The Forensic Mental Health Implications of Social Media Challenges

Emily M. Asher, Nathaniel P. Morris, Dale E. McNiel and Renée L. Binder
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online March 2024, 52 (1) 80-89; DOI: https://doi.org/10.29158/JAAPL.230114-23
Emily M. Asher
Dr. Asher is a child, adolescent, adult, and forensic psychiatrist in private practice, Oakland, CA and Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Dr. Morris is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Dr. McNiel is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Dr. Binder is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Psychiatry and the Law Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
MD, MS, MPH, MPA
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Nathaniel P. Morris
Dr. Asher is a child, adolescent, adult, and forensic psychiatrist in private practice, Oakland, CA and Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Dr. Morris is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Dr. McNiel is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Dr. Binder is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Psychiatry and the Law Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
MD
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Dale E. McNiel
Dr. Asher is a child, adolescent, adult, and forensic psychiatrist in private practice, Oakland, CA and Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Dr. Morris is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Dr. McNiel is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Dr. Binder is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Psychiatry and the Law Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
PhD
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Renée L. Binder
Dr. Asher is a child, adolescent, adult, and forensic psychiatrist in private practice, Oakland, CA and Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Dr. Morris is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Dr. McNiel is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Dr. Binder is Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Psychiatry and the Law Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
MD
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    Table 1

    Examples of Social Media Challenges

    Bright Eye ChallengeParticipants combine bleach, hand sanitizer, and shaving cream and put the mixture in the eye to lighten eye color.7
    Cha Cha Slide ChallengeDrivers swerve their car to the lyrics of the song by the same name.7
    Cereal ChallengeParticipants pour milk and cereal into another person’s mouth, and then use a spoon to eat from the “bowl.”7
    Devious Lick ChallengeParticipants steal items such as hand sanitizer, fire alarms, urinals, and stall doors from school bathrooms.8
    Drop Em Out ChallengeParticipants expose their breasts to their babies or others to the song “Drop Em Out.”9
    Fire Mirror ChallengeParticipants apply flammable substances, such as hairspray, to a mirror, then turn off the lights, and set the mirror on fire.10
    Milk Crate ChallengeParticipants climb and jump off a set of stacked milk crates.11
    Orbeez ChallengeParticipants shoot colorful water beads called Orbeez at strangers using gel blaster guns.12
    Outlet Challenge (Penny Challenge)Participants drop a penny onto a partially plugged-in phone charger, resulting in sparks or fire.7
    Poop ChallengeParents ask their child to bring them toilet paper in the bathroom and then smear fake feces on the child.11
    Scalp Popping ChallengeParticipants twist a piece of hair and pull on it, creating a “popping” sound.13
    Skull BreakerThree people stand next to one another in a line, the person in middle jumps and those at the side then kick the middle person’s legs forward so the person falls backwards.7
    Throw it in the AirParticipants stand in a circle with their heads bent down looking at a phone which is filming. The group throws an object in the air, and no one in the circle can move until the object hits someone.7
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Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online: 52 (1)
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
Vol. 52, Issue 1
1 Mar 2024
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The Forensic Mental Health Implications of Social Media Challenges
Emily M. Asher, Nathaniel P. Morris, Dale E. McNiel, Renée L. Binder
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Mar 2024, 52 (1) 80-89; DOI: 10.29158/JAAPL.230114-23

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The Forensic Mental Health Implications of Social Media Challenges
Emily M. Asher, Nathaniel P. Morris, Dale E. McNiel, Renée L. Binder
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online Mar 2024, 52 (1) 80-89; DOI: 10.29158/JAAPL.230114-23
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    • Abstract
    • Types of Social Media Challenges
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Keywords

  • child
  • adolescent
  • expert witness
  • juvenile justice
  • social media challenge
  • technology

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