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Social media spurs growth of risky ‘viral challenges’

Posted at 10:00 PM, May 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-19 00:00:16-04

SALT LAKE CITY -- As social media has grown, so has the popularity of so-called viral challenges.

From the "Vaseline challenge" to the "ghost pepper challenge", many teens are attempting stunts that can have dangerous consequences.

“My friend tried the cinnamon challenge; he had to go to the hospital for a week after doing it,” 13-year-old Austin Grant says.

Pix 11 brought together several teenagers to examine the trends and why they appeal to teens, and they also spoke with a behavioral scientist about what drives such decisions.

Click here for more from Pix 11.