Death by Internet: The Tide Pod Challenge’ epitomizes the youth of America

There’s a new snack out there that’s grabbing white teens by the taste buds.

The tasty treat that’s flying off of shelves won’t be found next to a bag of pretzels in the grocery store… but next to a handle of bleach.

Looking like something a child might mistake for candy and wrapped in a dissolvable pouch, the new snack that’s lining the average high school students’ pockets these days is Tide Pods.

https://giphy.com/gifs/empathy-12gREkBWpcIGl2

The craze behind eating portable laundry pouches has taken the internet by storm in 2018. Kids just couldn’t stick to the average cinnamon challenge?

Teenagers are daring one another to take a bite out of toxic laundry detergent pods by participating in the “Tide Pod Challenge,” resulting in hospitalization because of vomiting, breathing difficulties, and loss of consciousness.

So far, in 2018, there have been 37 reported cases of teenagers who have fallen to the temptations of consuming the delectable, sweet smelling, tri-colored, and squishy laundry detergent pods.

To prove this is one of the most stupid internet challenges to surface, last year the American Association of Poison Control reported that nearly 220 teens were exposed to the Tide Pod capsules. Twenty-five percent of those cases were intentional.

Y’all! I was on @CBSNewYork this morning for doing the #TidePodChallenge 😬 go ahead and judge me. I’m judging myself with you 🤦🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/YJvMbF1ztv

— Jordyn Balor 🇵🇷 (@jordynbalor) January 12, 2018

This is so WILD and the fact that many teens are participating in this challenge is beyond us.

Tide’s parent company, Proctor & Gamble, had to release a statement warning people to stay away from ingesting liquid laundry packets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-nbLIFbY2g

According to the Washington Post, Proctor & Gamble spokeswoman, Petra Renck, said in the statement,

“Laundry pacs are made to clean clothes… They should not be played with, whatever the circumstance, even if meant as a joke. Like all household cleaning products, they must be used properly and stored safely.”

Proctor & Gamble even had to go as far as releasing a PSA video on social media, which featured Patriot’s tight end Rob Gronkowski. In a tweet Tide said,

“What should Tide PODs be used for? DOING LAUNDRY. Nothing else. Eating a Tide POD is a BAD IDEA, and we asked our friend @robgronkowski to help explain.”

What should Tide PODs be used for? DOING LAUNDRY. Nothing else.

Eating a Tide POD is a BAD IDEA, and we asked our friend @robgronkowski to help explain. pic.twitter.com/0JnFdhnsWZ

— Tide (@tide) January 12, 2018

Think about it lil homies. Is dying to impress your friends by eating a laundry detergent pod really that cool? I didn’t think so. Stay wise.