Lift surfing is the latest, most dangerous online craze being embraced by kids

Footage shows kids as young as 10 or 11 partaking in this terrifying trend.

There have been plenty of dangerous crazes to sweep the internet throughout the years.

From ingesting hot chillis and laundry detergent pods to bursting blood vessels trying to achieve lips like Kylie Jenner to straight-up choking each other until someone passes out (yes, really), plenty of these viral trends left us wondering how humanity has managed to survive this long.

What’s worse is the views and likes these trends get leave plenty of young, impressionable viewers thinking that partaking in them will launch them into internet fame – a reward that, to them, outweighs the potentially fatal risks.

The latest of this bunch is ‘lift surfing,’ a trend that has increasingly gained traction across YouTube.

As the name suggests, this trend is about riding on top of a lift’s roof as it goes up and down the elevator shaft. Daredevils gain access to the shaft and emergency controls by using triangle keys bought online for as little as £3.

Kids as young as 10 are partaking in this trend, which firefighters have branded as “incredibly dangerous and potentially life-threatening.”

In one clip, a young boy of around 10 or 11 years old shows off his new triangle key, saying: “Today we’ll be talking about my new triangle key which I’ve just bought. It’s used for lift surfing. I hope you love going on top of lifts because that’s going to be our new thing.”

Other lift surfing videos show people gain access to the shafts of high tower blocks, in which the elevator soars up and plummets back down at a terrifying speed.

Nick Mellor of the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA) said surfers risk falling, electrocution and being struck by counterweights.

Speaking to the Sun, he said: “Lifts have many safety features aimed at keeping the public and those working on lifts safe – engineers work according to safe working procedures. Lift engineers would never surf a lift – they understand the risks and what can happen.

“The problem of lift surfing has grown in recent years as videos posted on social media have gained popularity. We have complained to YouTube about some videos we have seen but with no effect.

“They should take action when they receive complaints about such obviously dangerous activities shown openly on their site.”

Mark Hardingham, chairman of the UK’s National Fire Chiefs Council, added that rescuing and treating injuries related to lift surfing puts further strain on the already stretched emergency services.

“Not only is it putting children at risk of serious or life changing injuries, it could also take firefighters and other emergency services away from other life-saving activities,” he said.

“…This is senseless and could potentially encourage others to take part in this mindless activity. I would urge those even considering this, to think twice about this foolish course of action and the impacts on not only themselves, but also others.”