A dangerous online trend called the “Superman Challenge” has swept across Japan, leading to numerous injuries among young students. This challenge involves a person jumping into the outstretched arms of two rows of people, mimicking Superman’s flight, and then bouncing back to land safely. However, while the clips make the stunt appear effortless, the reality has proven to be far more hazardous for many young participants.
In December, a secondary school student in Tokyo suffered severe injuries while attempting the challenge. After being launched into the air by his peers, he lost balance and fell face-first onto a concrete floor. The accident left him with two broken wrists and chipped front teeth. His doctor, identified as Kishibe, reviewed footage of the incident on a smartphone and observed the boy being propelled to a height of two to three meters before the fall. Dr. Kishibe expressed disbelief that such a perilous activity could gain popularity. The injured student, however, admitted he thought it was just harmless fun, influenced by the laughter and amusement seen in the videos.
A similar incident occurred in Aomori Prefecture, where another secondary school student hit the back of his head on the ground after being tossed into the air by six friends. Although he escaped with a sore neck and no major injuries, his mother voiced serious concerns about the trend. “Landing on the neck or back can result in life-altering injuries. This isn’t just a game,” she warned.
According to the Asahi Shimbun, the challenge poses numerous dangers. Participants risk injuries if they miss the intended landing spot on their peers’ arms or are thrown too high and collide with ceilings. Recognizing these hazards, education boards in Okinawa Prefecture have urged schools to educate students on the potential risks following a surge of reported injuries in the region.
Social media giant ByteDance, which owns TikTok, responded by restricting searches for “Superman challenge” videos using related hashtags and keywords.
The trend is not confined to Japan. Reports have surfaced of children in countries such as Spain, North Macedonia, and Romania suffering injuries while attempting the same challenge.
This is not the first time a dangerous online challenge has raised safety concerns. In 2021, the “blackout challenge” gained infamy when participants attempted to choke themselves to the point of unconsciousness. Tragically, some children lost their lives while filming this activity.
As the popularity of these viral trends continues to grow, educators, parents, and authorities are urging vigilance to prevent further harm and protect young people from the hidden dangers of seemingly playful online challenges.
Image—TikTok/El Confidencial
