Teenager perishes in social media dare in New Zealand - Teenager's Fatal Participation in Social Media Stunt in New Zealand
New Zealand mourns the loss of a 19-year-old after a fatal accident during a social media challenge known as "Run-it-straight." Inspired by rugby, the challenge has gained traction on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, drawing large crowds in both New Zealand and Australia.
The basic premise of the challenge involves two participants running towards each other without protective gear, colliding head-on in a mirror image of rugby tackles. The "field" measures approximately 20 by 4 meters, with one participant serving as the runner while the other is the tackler.
On New Zealand's North Island, the young man organized a private challenge with friends over the weekend. He later succumbed to severe head injuries at a hospital on Monday evening, according to the New Zealand Herald, citing police. Authorities are advising against participating in such potentially hazardous activities.
The "Run-it-straight" challenge has been likened to a combat sport due to the intensely physical collisions mimicked from rugby league. Experts have repeatedly warned about the risks, particularly those concerning head injuries. Patria Hume, a sports scientist from the Auckland University of Technology, called the activity "irresponsible and dangerous," contradicting decades of scientific research on contact sports.
Cases of concussions have been documented among participants, with one fatality serving as a stark reminder of the challenge's potential dangers. Hume emphasized the need for awareness to prevent such tragic events.
In light of the recent fatality from the "Run-it-straight" challenge, general-news, crime-and-justice, sports, and sports-analysis platforms are discussing its hazards and urging against its practice, emphasizing New Zealand and Australia as hotspots for this dangerous activity. Patria Hume, a sports scientist from the Auckland University of Technology, is one of many experts condemning this irresponsible and dangerous activity on Instagram, TikTok, and many others, citing decades of scientific research on contact sports and its potential dangers.
