Posted: Sat 22nd Feb 2020

North Wales Health Board warning to parents about dangerous social media trend

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Saturday, Feb 22nd, 2020

Parents and children are being warned about the dangers of a social media prank resulting in serious injuries to children and young people.

As part of the ‘Skullbreaker’ or ‘Jump-Trip-Challenge’, an unexpecting participant is asked by two friends to jump in the air, during which his/her legs are swept from under them, causing them to fall on their back.

The resulting falls are being filmed and uploaded to TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and other social media sites.

This week, a 13-year-old boy from Llandudno narrowly avoided a serious injury after landing on his neck taking part in a video.

Lewis McMillan, a student at Ysgol John Bright, was admitted to Glan Clwyd Hospital after recreating a video of the challenge he had seen with his friends on TikTok.

Lewis’ mother Zoe said: “Boys will be boys, but he’s had a lucky escape really. It’s one thing seeing these sort of videos on social media, but kids need to be careful, and shouldn’t be copying them.

“I think he’s been really lucky, he could have broken his neck. They thought he would just land softly, but he landed on his neck and his feet went back over his head.

“His friends called an ambulance straight away and he was brought in to be checked over, and stayed in as a precaution.

“Fortunately he’s OK, and the staff have been brilliant with him, but it could have been much worse.”

Markus Hesseling, clinical director for paediatrics, said: “It might seem like harmless fun, but there is a real potential here for some genuinely horrible injuries to young people taking part in these videos.

“Just this week, we have seen our first admission with a serious back injury.

“Because of the way the person tricked into take part in these videos is unable to break their fall, they’re dropping directly onto their backs, necks or extended limbs.

“The trend seems to have been busy on social media for a week or so, and a lot of the content now being shared seems to be parents, news sites and other authorities warning about the challenge.

“However, we are still seeing cases of children injured as a result of it, irrespective of whether the actual video was shared on social media or not.

“The responsible thing to do is to make young people aware of how dangerous this is.

“My recommendation would be for parents to speak to their children about this and make them aware that this is trending at the moment, and to not be tricked into taking part.”



Spotted something? Got a story? Email [email protected]



Have a look at...

County Lines drug dealers targeted as part of major police operation

Clwyd South MS gives ringing endorsement to church bell restoration bid

Works on New Broughton housing development set to begin in spring

North Wales chief constable backs new Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service

Welsh gaming professionals flying the flag at “instrumental” US conference

What to expect with new first minister set to be appointed and cabinet reshuffle on the horizon

Updated: Firefighters called to incident at Bryn Lane recycling centre

Wrexham Council first in north Wales to install men’s sanitary bins in public toilets

Former Debenhams store in Wrexham could become trampoline park

Video: Wrexham market’s historic secrets are being uncovered amid refurb

Competition watchdog launches investigation into £2.5 billion merger between Flintshire based Redrow and Barratt

Shopmobility Wrexham expands services with Saturday opening trial