Tacoma schools warn of dangerous new 'penny challenge' on social media

TACOMA, Wash. (KOMO) - A Tacoma middle school student took part in a dangerous new challenge that is making its way across social media channels, and school officials are sounding the alarm.

The challenge implores kids to record a video of themselves partially plugging in a cell phone charger and then sliding a penny between the charger and the wall, then post the results on TikTok.

But placing the penny across an active electrical connection will create sparks that can not only damage the outlet, but can start a fire and injure the person, officials warned. One Tacoma middle school student did the challenge on Friday, according to the Tacoma School District.

“Most kids aren’t thinking about criminal charges or having to pay for the damage when they attempt these challenges,” said Lt. Marja Stowell with Tacoma Fire. "Most of them probably don’t think they could die from this either.”

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/Tacoma-schools-warn-of-dangerous-new-penny-15008495.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailynewsletterspi&utm_term=spi#item-85307-tbla-2

I don't think I would have fallen for this by the time I was middle school aged. But as one who's worked a lot with electrical circuits please don't do something so stupid. You can get some serious burns maybe worse.