LONDON: A viral TikTok trend has users dropping heavy objects — including toasters, air fryers, and even tables—on their feet to rank the pain, sparking warnings from experts.
Podiatrist Dr. Benjamin Bullen from the University of Galway cautioned that the challenge could lead to permanent nerve, bone, and joint damage. “Young people may be setting themselves up for a lifetime of pain and disability,” he told PA news agency.
Despite the risks, content creators like Luke Pilling, 19, have gained millions of views by repeatedly crushing their feet with household items. “Curiosity and humour,” he said, drove him to join the trend, though TikTok removed a video where he dropped a drill on his foot for violating community guidelines.
Reece Brierley, 25, admitted he initially resisted but later caved in to “see how it felt.” His video, featuring him wincing after dropping his dog, an old toaster, and a vacuum cleaner on his foot, racked up over 337,000 views. He acknowledged the trend’s stupidity but noted that financial incentives push users to take part. TikTok has safety teams monitoring and removing content that promotes dangerous behaviour, but the challenge continues to gain traction. – BERNAMA
