The viral “Superman” TikTok challenge has become a significant safety hazard, with at least 19 children and teens sustaining injuries severe enough to require hospital treatment in Israel. In recent days, numerous cases of injuries have been reported, ranging from fractures and bruises to loss of consciousness. “It was terrifying – they threw me really high, I fell, didn’t respond, and immediately fainted,” said Noa, a 12-year-old girl who suffered a concussion from a fall and lost consciousness. She underwent a series of medical tests at Schneider Children’s Medical Center.
The “Superman” challenge is a dangerous social media trend. In this challenge, a group of children or teens lifts a participant into the air, mimicking the iconic comic book superhero. The group then tosses the participant upward, expecting them to land safely on their feet or back. However, the challenge often spirals out of control, resulting in falls from significant heights and severe injuries such as fractures, concussions and loss of consciousness.
Noa, 12, speaking from her hospital bed where she was undergoing medical tests, recounted her experience. “I feel better now, but it was so scary. My two friends and I decided to try the challenge, and then more girls joined in. At first, I was one of the people throwing others, but then it was my turn to be tossed. The first time, they couldn’t lift me. The second time, they tried to throw me, but I don’t remember anything from when I hit my head to when I was in the ambulance. My friend told me they threw me really high, I fell, didn’t respond, and immediately fainted. My teacher called an ambulance, and my mom arrived quickly.”
After undergoing extensive tests, Noa shared an important message for other children considering trying the dangerous challenge. “At the hospital, they ran tests on me. I vomited, and in the end, they told me I had a concussion. If I had known this would happen, I never would have participated. It was so painful, and it’s just not worth it. I want to tell kids that it may look fun to be tossed in the air, but it’s really dangerous. It could have ended much worse. Don’t just think about the fun – it’s not worth the risk.”
'The kids tossed her really high, and it ended badly'
Noa’s mother added: “Noa doesn’t even have TikTok, so I didn’t realize she could be exposed to things like this. Her teacher called me and said she had lost consciousness and was rolling her eyes. The kids tossed her really high, and it ended badly. I was terrified when I got the call. When I arrived at the school, Noa wasn’t talking, she was confused, and the ambulance was already there. She was talking nonsense and didn’t remember anything. Only after vomiting twice did she start coming back to herself, but she was still in a difficult state. Just a week earlier, one of Noa’s friends broke her arm doing the same challenge, yet the kids continued. It terrifies me. This is very dangerous, and kids are exposed to these things even if they don’t have direct access to TikTok.”
'Avoid imitating trends that pose ran actual danger to your life'
Dr. Dana Zinger-Harel, a senior physician in the emergency department at Schneider Children’s Medical Center, part of the Clalit Health Services network, warned against such dangerous trends.
“In recent days, we’ve been seeing case after case of teens injured while attempting the ‘Superman’ TikTok challenge. Just today, five children arrived at our department with injuries from this challenge. Most of the injuries were cuts and bruises, but one 12-year-old girl arrived after falling on her head and losing consciousness. She is currently under observation and receiving treatment. I urge parents and children – avoid imitating trends that pose an actual danger to your life. Protect your health; it’s not worth it.”
Schneider Children’s Medical Center is not the only hospital treating injuries linked to the challenge. Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba reported treating three injured individuals within two days due to the “Superman” challenge. One suffered a serious head injury with suspected brain hemorrhaging, another sustained a fracture, and the third had a significant head injury.
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Similarly, in recent days, three teens were rushed to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv with mild to moderate injuries resulting from the challenge. Dr. Neta Cohen, head of pediatric trauma services at Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital, part of Ichilov Medical Center, explained: “In recent days, we’ve witnessed numerous injuries in our pediatric emergency department caused by dangerous challenges on TikTok, including the ‘Superman’ challenge. We’ve seen cases involving falls, back injuries and even a limb fracture. Additional hospitals have reported head and facial injuries. What may appear simple in the videos carries significant risks when performed in reality. We urge parents and teens to avoid these dangerous challenges.”
The emergency department at Safra Children’s Hospital at Sheba Medical Center also reported receiving four children, aged 10 to 16, on the same day after attempting the “Superman” challenge.
“Yesterday, several children arrived after performing the ‘Superman’ TikTok challenge, with mild to moderate injuries such as upper-body fractures and cuts. All were treated professionally and discharged home with follow-up instructions. This is an extremely dangerous challenge that can lead to head trauma and far more severe injuries,” according to Dr. Keren Galron, a senior specialist at Safra’s emergency department.