Eraser Challenge

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

NO JOKE!!!!! It's official, we live in a world where KIDS are willfully TEARING THEMSELVES APART with ERASERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/northern_suburbs&id=9486809

 

BETHEL, Conn. (WABC) -- A middle school principal in Connecticut is warning parents about the "Eraser Challenge."

 

It's no joke, the young teenagers are actually erasing their skin until it bleeds and burns.

Infections are a problem, so why would the kids do this?

It's a challenge that's taking off in schools for all the wrong reasons.

"They're comparing marks with their friends to see how far they have gotten and what marks look like," said Derek Muharem, the Principal at Bethel Middle School.

It's called the eraser challenge, and the goal is to rub your skin with an eraser until it's sore and red and in some cases until the skin breaks.

"Kids are mutilating themselves or doing stuff just to hurt themselves," said John Luhrs, a parent.

At Bethel Middle School in Connecticut, the principal sent letters home to parents warning them of this new problem, after learning at least dozen students had hurt themselves.

"They're saying the alphabet, but they're creating a word for it, so it's A for apple, B for boy," Muharem said.

There are plenty of eraser videos on YouTube, this as kids and adults issue the warning that this challenge is D for dumb.

 

Edited April 1, 2014 by WindChaserStallicorn

[Scootalove 10,689]

I never thought that I would see something like this, but I shouldn't be surprised. It's sad to see that a challenge like this exists in their schools, which is really a thing to think about.

[Squint 29]

What.. Why? What?

 

Jesus, everyone in my generation is an idiot.

[Oblivion 20,266]

Why are many kids now days SO DUMB, my god that is actually messed up and ranks right up their with the "choking game" IMO.

[Remi 1,309]

omg why cant kids think like rational adults jesus christ theyve only been alive for like < 2 decades they should be smarter omfg smh

Okay, I've had friends told me about when kids would do this, but mainly to leave class.
 

But they're fucking kids, man. Let them do dumb shit, they'll learn if not by common sense, then they'll learn through pain. Don't tell me none of you have done stupid things in your youth.

It's a stupid fad that will pass.

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

But they're fucking kids, man. Let them do dumb shit, they'll learn if not by common sense, then they'll learn through pain. Don't tell me none of you have done stupid things in your youth.

Okay, let them do things that will probably leave them with ~500 diseases and possibly dead. They should learn, if they're not too dead for it.

 

These things may have been happening for years, by different names, but a life is a life, and if I was a parent I would NEVER stand for my kid dying from something so dumb. That's when the parents need to step in.

[D1SC0RD 987]

I miss the knife game... Those were the good ol' days.

[Dattebayo 2,850]

This is nothing new.

First time I saw this was back in...5th grade, I think?

 

The f*cking idiots. You can tell those kids have never been spanked with a belt.

[Wingnut 6,994]

Yeah, I saw this in the news recently myself.  Sigh.  What crazy, Jackass style game will kids think up next?  :/

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k35aKeaKco

 

What are teens doing with their lives nowadays? This is just sick...

[Bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb 167]

Why is this even a thing like really

[Xievie 498]

So, what do you gain from doing this? It's a bit disappointing to hear this is what kids are doing. Really, these kids are around my age, and I'm gonna be an adult when they're adults, and I do NOT look forward to living in a place with this happening, and I do NOT look forward to similar (maybe even WORSE) little trends like this being around my future kids.

 

It's extremely worrisome.

[GhostPony750 959]

ah. o_O It's no cinnamon challenge anymore, it's getting worse!

 

I saw these kinds of things as a kid, but it wasn't so popular before. I blame the internet.

[Celtore 2,770]

 

What the hell?... Well, this demonstrates a valuable lesson. We live in an era where knowledge about pretty much anything is just a click away, but sadly logic doesn't work the same way.

Edited April 2, 2014 by Celtore

[yayayayayala 1,668]

FLEH!! WHAT THE HAY?!?! Why would they do that??!

[GenderIsAnIllusion 2,177]

We used to play the quater challenge when I was in middle school..... Basically force a quarter into your knuckle as many times as you can until you can't take it...... I was champion and had my knuckle practically to the bone.

[Frith is Magick 1,471]

I don't get the over-reaction to this. I've done my share of dumb stuff, including but not limited to the knife game, and nothing bad has happened. A few minor cuts, burns, or bruises, but never anything serious. Getting hurt doing dumb stuff or playing games like this is part of the fun of childhood. I'm not saying allow it (the fact that it's not allowed adds to the fun), just don't flip out and act like these kids are going to die.

 

Before anyone mentions infections, I've had my share of cuts from less than 100% sanitary sources, I've had dirt in cuts and handled raw meat with open scratches (tiny, but deep enough to draw blood), and not once has this caused any sort of infection or illness. Being exposed to bacteria is good for the immune system, and I'm pretty damn sure that the eraser challenge isn't going to lead to life-threatening illness.

[Rainboom Dash 1,056]

Why do people do these stupid things?

[Midnight_Magic 72]

yeah I read about this *sigh!* to each their own I guess..I just don't see the fun in that at all...whatever happened to a fun game of tag or just playing on the swings! 

[~Sugar Sprinkles~ 638]

This has been going on for awhile. Back in 5th grade, I remember hearing kids doing this. 

 

I think the eraser challenge is just stupid.I remember my cousin kept doing it and she had eraser burns ALL over her arms. It was awful :/

[Squint 29]

I miss the knife game... Those were the good ol' days.

That's just as stupid, really.

 

I don't get the over-reaction to this. I've done my share of dumb stuff, including but not limited to the knife game, and nothing bad has happened. A few minor cuts, burns, or bruises, but never anything serious. Getting hurt doing dumb stuff or playing games like this is part of the fun of childhood. I'm not saying allow it (the fact that it's not allowed adds to the fun), just don't flip out and act like these kids are going to die.

 

Before anyone mentions infections, I've had my share of cuts from less than 100% sanitary sources, I've had dirt in cuts and handled raw meat with open scratches (tiny, but deep enough to draw blood), and not once has this caused any sort of infection or illness. Being exposed to bacteria is good for the immune system, and I'm pretty damn sure that the eraser challenge isn't going to lead to life-threatening illness.

What? No, you're wrong. Sorry, but that's an idiotic argument. Some people have really shitty immune systems and this sort of thing could kill them if it resulted in infection. That's a worst case scenario (obviously) but the fact that it's unlikely to cause you serious damage doesn't make it any more excusable. If a child was self-harming because they were depressed that would be fine, but just to get a kick out of it? That's dumb as shit. Go play a video game, dammit.

[Karba 63]

Children Play So Imaginatively and Creatively These Days.

Edited April 2, 2014 by Karba

[Frith is Magick 1,471]

 

 

What? No, you're wrong. Sorry, but that's an idiotic argument. Some people have really shitty immune systems and this sort of thing could kill them if it resulted in infection. That's a worst case scenario (obviously) but the fact that it's unlikely to cause you serious damage doesn't make it any more excusable. If a child was self-harming because they were depressed that would be fine, but just to get a kick out of it? That's dumb as shit. Go play a video game, dammit.

If someone has a legitimate health issue which impairs the immune system, then I'm inclined to agree, however exposure to bacteria and viruses trains the immune system, making it stronger, and it is likely that a person doing the eraser challenge will have already been exposed to the local bacteria, which would make fighting them off easier. The eraser challenge won't cause serious injury. worst case scenario in a month or two all that will be left is a pale scar.

 

As for self-harm caused by depression, I would argue that it is worse, as it indicates an underlying issue that needs to be resolved. If someone wants to do something stupid, recognizes the potential effects, and accepts the consequences, then why should anyone stop them from having a little fun when the risk is minimal (almost non-existent)?

[Tetris 115]

ERMAGERD SRSLY! My baby cousin is smarter than this!

[Colorful Respawn 399]

The knife game, cinnamon challenge, warhead challenge, and now this? *facehoof* What has this world come to?