Seven-Year-Old in Coma After Suffering Severe Burns from Viral TikTok Experiment

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

A tragic incident has raised concerns over the dangers children face on social media after a seven-year-old girl from Missouri, Scarlett Selby, was left in a coma following a TikTok experiment gone wrong.

Scarlett attempted a viral trend involving freezing a NeeDoh stress toy overnight and then microwaving it to soften it. However, the toy suddenly exploded, releasing a hot, sticky substance that severely burned her chest, mouth, and chin.

Her father, Josh Selby, witnessed the horrifying moment and immediately rushed to help, only to find the substance sticking to his own hand as well. In a state of panic, he tore off Scarlett’s shirt, which had also been affected, and rushed her to the hospital.

Doctors placed Scarlett in a medically induced coma to prevent swelling in her airways due to the severity of the burns. She remained in the hospital for a week, including three days in a coma, as doctors worked to treat her injuries.

Josh Selby recounted the terrifying ordeal, saying, "She had frozen the toy the night before and showed me how solid it was. The next day, she microwaved it and was checking if it was too hot when it suddenly exploded all over her. I heard her scream in pain, and everything happened so fast."

This incident highlights the growing risks children face when exposed to viral social media trends without understanding their dangers. Experts continue to warn parents about the potential hazards of online challenges and urge them to monitor their children’s online activities closely.

Scarlett's case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of digital safety and the need for greater awareness around the risks posed by seemingly harmless social media trends.