Social media platforms are a great way to learn new things, be inspired, and be creative. However, these platforms are sometimes home to some dangerous challenges that cause harm to many people.

Most recently, this challenge has been the Orbeez Challenge. Orbeez, small round gel beads, are being shot at other people by TikTok creators who use the tag #OrbeezChallenge. The victims have included a ten-year-old boy riding his bike, an Amazon driver, a woman pushing a stroller, and many more.

The official Orbeez website does not mention the Orbeez guns. They continue to sell their Orbeez #Challenge kit, which does not include an Orbeez gun. It is marketed for ages 5 and up and says nothing about the #OrbeezChallenge which is becoming a problem with teens.

LaGrange, a city in Georgia, has been met with several #OrbeezChallenge participators and victims. They made a post on Facebook addressing the issue. The specific influencer they were dealing with at the time had used an Orbeez gun that “was originally gray, red, and orange”. According to the LaGrange police, “the person that had this gun painted it black and silver, to make it look like a real gun.”

In the post, the LaGrange police warned parents to keep their child away from the challenges and therefore potential consequences that could follow. “Parents and guardians, if your child is engaged in this behavior, please discuss the dangers with your children. Check to see if they have altered the color of any of these guns and please dispose of them if so.”

People across the country are worried about the negative outcomes that could be a result of the #OrbeezChallenge going across social media. To some, this challenge may be just another trend floating around online, but to others, this trend has caused intense damage in their lives.