Teen “Lucky to Be Alive” After Attempting ‘Duct Tape Challenge’

Every so often you hear about a silly internet trend that young people are copying but it turns into something very serious when someone gets injured. The latest craze that teenagers are daring each other to do is the ‘Duct Tape Challenge.’ For one 14-year-old, the so-called fun that he and his friends were having turned into a nightmare. The challenge sees someone tied up in duct tape. The person's friends then see how long it takes them to get free, often recording it for amusement. According to Q13 FOX News, when Skylar Fish from Washington was trying to break free from the tape, he fell over and hit his head on a concrete and metal window frame. As well as a crushed eye socket and cheekbone, the fall caused bleeding on his brain. Thankfully his friends called the emergency services immediately and he was taken in for emergency surgery. It is not known whether he will ever regain his vision and he will have to relearn how to do some everyday tasks. His mother Sarah told the network:  “I didn’t know what I would do if I lost him. They told me over and over… that he’s lucky to be alive.” She also warned parents and teenagers to think before they attempt such a fad: "They’re just looking at what’s fun, what’s cool, what's going to impress their friends. “'I can break out of this duct tape. I'm the strongest. I’m the best.' They’re not thinking what if I fall and hit my head." She has also set up a GoFundMe page to cover the medical expenses and thank people for their prayers. While this latest craze seems to be spreading in the US, the internet makes it accessible to young people everywhere and it’s terrifying to think of the damage that it could potentially do. What do you think about this story? Let me know by emailing me at rebecca.mcknight@herfamily.ie