TikTok’s newest craze could be putting your health at risk

Every (very) little time, a new trend emerges in TikTok. Previously, we reviewed the trend of influencers who recommend you not to buy certain products: the disinfluencers; we also talked about things with “low vibes”, and we could see the effects that beauty filters have among users, with one that rejuvenates you and another that makes you “extremely handsome” (according to certain beauty canons).

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Now, another new trend is going viral on TikTok: the “blackout rage gallons” or BORG. This new alcohol drinking craze consists of students carrying around small jugs containing a mixture of alcohol, electrolytes, flavoring and water, which are known as BORGs. Yesterday alone, the hashtag #borg received more than 74.7 million views on TikTok.

Some people have praised this trend because it would supposedly prevent the spread of infectious diseases, reduce excessive alcohol consumption and even reduce hangovers because it includes electrolytes. However, the fact that these carafes also contain a fifth of vodka does not convince experts, who advise against joining this trend to avoid alcohol poisoning.

This trend has had a huge reception in the United States, to the point that the University of Massachusetts has issued a warning about it, due to the problems that uncontrolled alcohol consumption is causing.

And no wonder; according to TechBriefly, as many as 30 college students who joined the trend at parties held before St. Patrick’s Day have been taken to the hospital. The University of Massachusetts says it will evaluate the events and that steps will be taken to improve alcohol education.

A new trend that raises alarm bells about the creation of new fads on TikTok and the ease with which they can spread among younger users. In this case, the BORG fad is particularly dangerous for the health of young people, as well as for the image of the universities where the parties are held. Should TikTok restrict the spread of fads that could be considered harmful?