Status: 16.10.2023, 12:21 p.m.
By: Vinzent Fischer
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The "Hot Chip Challenge" went viral on social media – and is also finding imitators in Bavaria. © IMAGO
The "Hot Chip Challenge", a social media trend from the USA, has arrived in Bavaria. The manufacturer advertises the hottest tortilla chip in the world. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the tasting for two young girls ended in the hospital.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen – It's almost pitch black, the tortilla chip that has been on everyone's lips on social media for weeks. In the truest sense of the word. Hot Chip Challenge is the name of the Internet phenomenon that enjoys great popularity worldwide. Those who take part must eat the extremely spicy tortilla chip.
Hot Chip Challenge: 14-year-old American dies – also in Bavaria emergencies
But especially for children and young people, the chip can become a great danger. In early September, a 14-year-old American died after participating in the Hot Chip Challenge. And there are also the first unpleasant cases in Bavaria: On Friday, two young girls aged 13 and 14 ended up in the emergency room of the local hospital. They had bought one of the chips - and suffered considerable breathing problems after consuming it, according to the police. The officers are now investigating on suspicion of negligent bodily harm.
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The Bavarian Consumer Advice Centre also warns urgently of the consequences of consumption. "People who are not used to spicy foods – and this includes most children and adolescents – usually feel spiciness particularly strongly," explains a spokeswoman. Consumption can sometimes lead to life-threatening physical symptoms.
On social networks, the Hot Chip Challenge went viral because well-known influencers also tried it. The manufacturer itself actively calls for the dissemination of videos and images on social media. The chips are easily available online or on supermarket shelves.
Consumer advice center Bavaria warns: Hot chip almost 1000 times sharper than the recommended strength
If you shove the chip into your mouth with the enclosed rubber glove, you will soon "enjoy" an intense, hellish burning sensation that lasts about 20 minutes. The ingredient capsaicin is to blame. According to the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, a hot chip is almost 1000 times sharper than the recommended strength for an adult.
But how do we deal with the social media trend that is particularly appealing to children and young people? "Parents and educators should accompany the children in the digital space and be eager to learn about it, instead of pointing fingers," argues Lisa Mutschke from the JFF Institute for Media Education. To this end, it is necessary to enter into a direct exchange with the young people.
"This can be extremely offensive to the body": Media educators plead for more educational work
"It is often the case that these challenges are not without danger," says Björn Friedrich, media educator at the Munich-based institution Studio im Netz. "There's a clear pattern." Often it is tests of courage that the participants of the challenges have to pass. "In principle, however, this is not a new phenomenon," says the media educator. After all, even before social media, there had always been tests of courage.
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What is new, however, is the enormous reach that the tests of courage achieve via social media. The manufacturer of the hot chips speaks of over 20 million views. Despite the risks, the challenge continues to resonate.
"Especially in young people, many people develop their own identity," explains Mutschke. For the young people, it's about belonging, experiencing recognition and feeling connected. "Our tip is always to think carefully about the consequences this can have. This is not harmless fun, but can be extremely offensive to the body," warns Friedrich. "Sometimes you have to have the courage to say no and go against this trend." (vfi)
You can find even more current news from the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Merkur.de/Garmisch-Partenkirchen.