The New “Shell On Challenge” Is Extremely Dangerous — Teens Need To Stop

In a world where we need to tell teens that detergent is not food, questionable social media challenges have somehow become the norm. There was the notorious Tide Pod challenge, which prompted supermarkets to move Tide Pods far (far) away from the candy aisle. And then there was the hot water challenge, which left a 15-year-old in the hospital for a week.

These days, teens are trying a new Snapchat trend called “Shell On Challenge,” and it is so not safe.

According to ABC Action News, the goal of the challenge is to eat food without removing its packaging, rind, or peel. Examples include a lemon with its rind, an unpeeled banana, and baby carrots in their original plastic bag. (WTF, right?) Something tells us this isn’t what people mean when they say we should eat “whole foods.”

Teens on social media think the challenge is hilarious.

Obviously, when it comes to foods like apples and potatoes, eating the peel isn’t exactly dangerous. But young adults aren’t opting for these foods to do this challenge. Instead, they are taking it a step further and actually biting into cardboard packaging, plastic wrapping, and indigestible rinds.

While health experts are concerned about pesticides, they’re even more worried about choking hazards.

After all, cardboard packaging and plastic wrapping isn’t exactly made for consumption.

It’s possible to choke on bits of banana peel and lemon rinds, too.

ABC Action News reports that the “Shell On Challenge” is mostly on Snapchat.

However, a few videos have been posted to other social media platforms.

The challenge involves teens daring their friends to eat food with the “shell.”

It’s just as bad as the “Tide Pod Challenge,” which has thankfully died down.

The challenge was so popular that it became the punchline of 2018.

The “Tide Pod Challenge” has also prompted an endless string of memes featuring the infamous detergent pods.

According to the NY Post, teens think the “Shell On Challenge” is funny because rinds and packaging aren’t even actually “shells.”

For the most part, unpeeled bananas seem to be the challenge food of choice.

I blame @griffinmcelroy for inspiring the #shellonchallenge pic.twitter.com/bMC2oWB2CZ

— Don Kiel (@RunDonkelRun) April 18, 2019

But if we’re being honest, eating an unpeeled banana does not look like fun.

Watch @jackgoesforth try the #shellonchallenge this morning with a 🍌

Gross! 🤢 pic.twitter.com/PjYxZv5LVl

— 103.7 Your Variety (@1037YourVariety) April 18, 2019

It does look pretty gross, though!

How many people broke their teeth doing the #ShellOnChallenge

— Laura (@laura_trev363) April 13, 2019

The social media trend has become so popular that even brands like Hostess Snacks have made “Shell On Challenge” memes.

Jus playin’. 😃 #Chocolate #Cake pic.twitter.com/ACfa4sHOOm

— Hostess Snacks (@Hostess_Snacks) April 16, 2019

In the mean time, health experts are encouraging parents to be involved in their kids’ social media activity.

While some social media challenges can be fun and harmless, the “Shell On Challenge” is the farthest thing from safe.

Luckily, there haven’t been any reports of “Shell On Challenge” injuries. Let’s hope it stays that way.