Having already seen magnets used to test if the Covid-19 Vaccine made your arm magnetic (which they do not), magnets have blown up again on TikTok in the form of magnetic balls. Despite the popularity around this trend, parents should be wary of their children and the dangers these small magnets present.
What is the TikTok magnet trend?
The new TikTok magnet challenge makes users feel like a child again and has already seen the #magneticballs viewed over 46 million times.
The trend taking TikTok by storm revolves around small magnetic balls, which come in a variety of colours. TikTok users use these small magnets to create shapes, satisfying clips but also fake tongue piercings.
This is where the small magnetic balls are most dangerous as they are easily swallowed and swallowing more than one of these magnets is extremely dangerous.
Medics issue a warning to parents
A 9-year-old boy ‘nearly died’ having swallowed magnets as part of this TikTok trend after being admitted to hospital last Tuesday, complaining of stomach cramps and sickness. Surgeons had to remove a part of the boys small and large bowel in order to dislodge the magnets and even had to have his appendix removed during the procedure.
The NHS have previously stated the rise in hospitalisations due to swallowing magnets and has seen medics call for the products to be banned.
Professor Simon Kenny, paediatric surgeon and national clinical director for children and young people at NHS England, said: “Magnets are a source of fascination for children, and magnetic toys can look like a cheap and cheerful way of occupying the kids, but ultimately they aren’t safe and shouldn’t be for sale.
“There is nothing fun for children or their parents about surgery to remove magnets that have been swallowed and become stuck together through different parts of the intestines, or the long-term physical problems and internal scarring that can be left behind.”
Here at FIRST4MAGNETS we would like to stress the dangers of magnetic balls and the safe use of magnets, and we have actively taken part and worked with the UK Government’s investigation into the safe use of magnets, and we fully support furthering strict standards and regulation to ensure only safely designed and produced products are available.
For more information on our our Health and Safety regarding the use, handling and transporting of magnets, please view our Health and Safety section below.
