[VIRAL] New TikTok Fad Called The Orbeez Challenge Is Taking The US By Storm--What Is It?

A TikTok fad called the Orbeez challenge is once again taking the world by storm. Specifically in the United States, many people have engaged in the new challenge (as with all other viral TikTok challenges), albeit with not-so-good results.

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According to NewsWeek, it has gotten bad enough that police departments in the country have been warning folks not to engage in it, as it has already led to arrests. That's because the challenge involves taking gel beads (Orbeez brand) and shooting them out of toy guns, sometimes in a so-called "drive-by" style on the streets.

Among these police departments is that of Volusia, Florida. Recently, they posted three videos of the TikTok Orbeez challenge on their Twitter account. It shows a "drive-by" Orbeez shooting which targeted a woman pushing a child on a stroller, an Orbeez shooting of an Amazon delivery driver, and a car crash reportedly caused by several kids shooting each other with Orbeez in a parking lot:

Aside from Florida, the state of Georgia has also seen incidents of the Orbeez challenge, causing largely the same public disturbances.

'Safety Is Paramount'

This was the statement of Spin Master, the manufacturer of the Orbeez pellets being used in the viral social media trend. They also made it clear in a statement to NPR that the pellets are not intended to be used as bullets in toy guns, which they say could be mistaken for actual firearms-more so in the heat of the moment.

Spin Master went on to say that they designed the Orbeez pellets for "educational, creative, and sensory play." All in all, the pellets sound quite harmless, perhaps as harmless as Nerf bullets. But the dangers come around once they're used in a public setting, such as shooting unwitting people while they're doing inherently dangerous things (i.e. driving, crossing the street, or operating heavy machinery).

Read Also: [VIRAL CULTURE] TikTok Drop Challenge Ideas 2022: Even Mandy Moore Participates!

Why Do These TikTok Challenges Get So Popular?

Writing on Medium.com, psychologist and professor Dr. Pamela Rutledge explains the reason why the TikTok Orbeez challenge (as well as others before or after it) go viral. According to her, it's all about how TikTok itself is built as a social media platform.

She cites numerous reasons like the low barrier to entry, illusion of fame, and merely the chance of being part of something hip and cool as main reasons. And that's true: all you need is a smartphone and a TikTok app to sign up. No payments needed, and barely age limitations. On the subject of age, it's also worth noting that over half of TikTok users in the US are under 35 years old. That's why when you see TikTok challenges like these, it's almost always young folks doing it.

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All of this contributes to one thing: anyone and anything goes. You don't need a professional-grade camera to participate in any social media fad. You don't need a professionally written script, nor a high production value. Just take your phone, hit record, and voila.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the issue remains the same: TikTok is still a hotbed of viral, potentially dangerous challenges that everyone should be aware of. This is why the platform itself is improving its content policies. But until then, people should be wary of this Orbeez challenge. There are better, far safer fads than this.

Related Article: Best TikTok Challenges of 2022 to Do with Your Friends

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Written by RJ Pierce