Social media trends egging on children into looting and overdosing on painkillers
The Independent|August 16, 2023
Parents have been warned of a social media "challenge" that has seen children overdosing on paracetamol to see who can stay in hospital the longest.
WILLIAM MATA
Social media trends egging on children into looting and overdosing on painkillers

The warning comes as a police chief called on parents to stop their children joining in with online crazes that included looting in Oxford Street and competitions to overdose on drugs.

Encouraged by the social media videos, teenagers in Southampton took the painkillers to see who could stay in hospital for the longest time over the weekend. And last Wednesday, police used batons as teenagers organised a flash mob raid on JD Sports in London's shopping heartland that had been reportedly inspired by TikTok, although the social media site has said there is no evidence for this.

The Metropolitan Police arrested at least five people amid reports that one officer was punched in the face by a youth. The force also issued 34 dispersal orders and it was reported that two ringleaders were arrested later on Wednesday. Donna Jones, the new chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme yesterday that parents should step in to dissuade the behaviour.

This story is from the August 16, 2023 edition of The Independent.

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This story is from the August 16, 2023 edition of The Independent.

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