Mexico City, August 20, 2025 — A 16-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital after taking part in a viral TikTok challenge that involved consuming a homemade mixture supposedly designed to “cleanse the body of toxins in 24 hours.”
The challenge, known as the “detox challenge,” encourages users to mix baking soda, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of bleach, then drink it on an empty stomach. While some videos claim that the mixture can “cure acne” or “promote rapid weight loss,” health experts warn that it is extremely dangerous.
The teenager, identified as Mariana “N,” began experiencing severe stomach pain, vomiting, and dizziness just minutes after drinking the concoction. Her parents immediately took her to the hospital, where she was admitted for chemical poisoning.
“These kinds of challenges can be deadly,” warned Dr. Laura González, a toxicologist at Mexico City General Hospital. “Bleach should never be ingested under any circumstances. Even in small amounts, it can cause severe damage to internal organs.”
The incident has reignited the debate over the influence of social media on teenagers and the lack of oversight regarding dangerous content. The Ministry of Health issued a statement urging parents and teachers to be more attentive to what young people are consuming on digital platforms.
TikTok, for its part, stated that it is already working to remove videos related to the challenge and strengthen its policies against content that promotes harmful practices.
Mariana is currently in stable condition but remains under observation. Her family has requested privacy and used the opportunity to send a message to other young people: “It’s not worth risking your life just for a few ‘likes.’”
Để lại một phản hồi