‘Collarbone Challenge’ Quickly Becoming Newest Social Media Challenge, Experts Concerned About Increases In Anorexia
Social media has seen an influx of challenges that range from showing off a specific skill to raising money for a worthy cause.
From planking to the ice bucket challenge, new and unique photo and video opportunities have manifested all over social media sites. Recently the belly button challenge and coke bottle challenges have graced the internet and have proven to be relatively harmless. However, the collarbone challenge has experts worried that girls and guys that cannot pull it off might find themselves becoming anorexic in an attempt to prove their ability.
The collarbone challenge started in China, adding to the list of bizarre body trends that have run rampant on social media, according to WTOP. The trend began appearing on Weibo, China’s answer to Twitter, where women have placed coins in their collarbones and posted the photos online for the world to view. The premise of the collarbone challenge is to place coins in the pocket created between the neck and shoulder. The pocket is most prevalent on women that are very skinny. The more coins that can be stood upright in the collarbone challenge, the more impressive it is.
The collarbone challenge and the number of coins that can be inserted is considered to be more successful when the number of coins increases. Synonymous, the success equates to being skinnier than someone that cannot fit as many coins in the collarbone. Therefore, experts in the field of anorexia are worried that many girls, and some men, will take to becoming anorexic if they cannot complete the challenge as well as others. Chinese celebrities are joining in on the trend, further worrying experts that their popularity and success will lead to even more cases of anorexia.
Claire Mysko, the director for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), claims that the trend is very dangerous.
“This social media challenge is dangerous because it stokes comparison and fuels insecurity, especially for people who struggle with disordered eating and poor body image. NEDA promotes social media challenges that promote body positivity and encourage self-acceptance.”
According to Metro U.K., the collarbone challenge is still predominantly staying in China, but there is worry that it will spread to the Western World quickly. NEDA hopes that anyone who attempts the collarbone challenge will do so only in fun and not take the results seriously. However, they also shared that they have a help line that can be called if anyone feels they may be struggling with an eating disorder and would like to talk about it. Individuals can call 800-931-2237 for further information.
[Photo Courtesy: Metro U.K.]
