5 Reasons NOT to try the #PennyChallenge

PARENTS BEWARE!!  First there was the Tide Pod Challenge, now the kids are risking their lives in even dumber ways with the #PennyChallenge.   It’s all over TikTok.  The #PennyChallenge, also known as the #OutletChallenge, encourages young people to record what happens when a penny is slid between a loosely plugged outlet and phone charger. You’ve guessed it, the result is large sparks of electricity. So far, no injuries. However, a chief public safety officer for the ESA says, Electricity is unforgiving, and no family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one or their home because of a social media trend.

So here are 5 reasons NOT to try the #PennyChallenge:
1) you could hurt yourself or die
2) it’s not a challenge, there’s nothing to prove…it’s a dare and dares are dumb
3) you could really mess up the electrical wiring in the building or house
4) you could face criminal charges for #3, like in the above news report
5) did I mention you might die?  That’s reason enough, right?

So in closing, the #PennyChallenge is dumb.  Don’t be dumb.  Go back to flip cup or tumbleweed challenge.  Better yet, get off YouTube and go do the dishes or something constructive.  Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.