Teens urged to stop putting coins in iPhone chargers in 'dangerous' TikTok trend

From the Tide Pod Challenge to the Cinnamon Challenge, a variety of bizarre trends have appropriated social media in recent years.

But the newest TikTok trend could have devastating consequences, consistent with fire officials.

The trend sees teens partially inserting an iPhone charger into a wall outlet, before sliding a penny down the wall into the exposed prongs.

Worryingly, this will cause sparks, electrical damage, and even fires.

In recent weeks, two fires are started at homes in Massachusetts directly linked to the trend, consistent with State fire chief Peter J Ostroskey.

He explained: “We have had two incidents in Massachusetts that we are aware of: one in Holden where a concerned mother sent a photograph of a scorched outlet to a news outlet, and one at a Westford high school, which the Department of fireside Services investigated.



“The student(s) liable for starting the hearth at the Westford Academy will face charges.”

Based on the recent incidents, experts are urging teens to prevent the challenge.

Canton fire marshal Charles Doody said: “Participating in any of those viral trends or challenges are often dangerous and have serious repercussions.

“We want parents to remember this trend so that they can help to teach their kids about the danger and stop possible fires, electrical damage or injuries.”

The strange TikTok trend comes shortly after a challenge circulated on TikTok during which men dipped their testicles in soy to ascertain if they might taste it.

It comes after a 2013 study resurfaced, which revealed that testicles have taste receptors.

The study, by researchers from the Monell Chemical Senses Centre, found that mice have taste receptors on their testicles, which play a key role in their fertility.

TikTok user Regan appears to possess rediscovered the study and posted a video urging men to ascertain if they might taste with their testicles.

She said: “If you've got testicles, please dip your balls in something. It’s for science and that I must know. Thank you.”

Many TikTok users skilled the video by testing the idea themselves, but before you go trying it out for yourself, scientists say there’s no evidence that testicles can taste.

Speaking to Men’s Health, Dr. Kieran Kennedy said: “I definitely hate to be another doctor out there ruining everyone’s fun, but no - the facts here don’t support any truth in our testicles having the ability to taste flavors within the traditional sense.

"Several studies have shown that various tissues have taste receptors - including various parts of the gut, the liver and (yes) the testicles.

“These have largely been conducted, however, in animals, and therefore the study that seems to possess sparked this TikTok ‘taste’ trend was performed on mice."