Spring is within the air in elements of america, and meaning individuals are getting outside extra – but it surely additionally signifies that the newest social media challenges at the moment are making the rounds. Whereas many are innocent, others might be extraordinarily harmful.

That actually appears to be the case with the “Splat Gun Problem,” which started earlier this month on TikTok.

It calls for people to shoot air-soft sort weapons that fireplace water-soaked Orbeez pellets at unsuspecting strangers and to report the actions. In a few of the movies making the rounds on the platform, customers have been seen conducting “drive-by shootings,” authorities have warned.

“We have had a number of conditions within the county the place children, student-aged kids, adults, strolling on the sidewalk, have been focused and shot with these,” Lt. Jason Deater of the Frederick County, Maryland Sheriff’s Office told WTOP. “It scares folks as a result of they do not know what is going on on. They do not know what they’re being hit with instantly.”

Problem Not Accepted

Whereas the impression from the Orbeez pellets is much less painful than a paintball, the pellets can nonetheless trigger harm, particularly in the event that they hit a person in delicate areas such because the eyes and ears. The opposite hazard after all is that the individual being hit may consider they’re being shot by an actual gun and reply with lethal pressure, authorities additionally warn.

In Maryland, the place the problem has appeared to have begun, it is usually against the law. Legislation enforcement officers have made it clear that expenses filed would differ by the precise scenario, however people may doubtless face a second-degree assault cost, a misdemeanor within the state.

And that is provided that there isn’t any harm.

There’s additionally a chance of destruction of property expenses if a person’s garments or different objects are broken. Different attainable expenses embrace disorderly conduct and malicious destruction of property, whereas there may be civil courtroom penalties.

Along with Maryland, there have been experiences in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey and New York of people participating within the problem.

Stopping These Challenges

So far, the social media platforms have been largely ineffective in stopping such challenges, at the same time as legislation enforcement is hoping to nip this one within the bud.

“Human nature is to hunt out thrills, and sadly the character of social media can be for folks to need to ‘one-up’ each other,” warned model advertising consultants and social media pundit Scott Steinberg. “Some will all the time attempt to amp issues up with these challenges, and that appears to be the case this 12 months.”

The movies could make it appear like good enjoyable, however for these unsuspecting people who’re the targets, it doubtless is not a laughing matter. That’s the reason legislation enforcement is taking it very significantly, but it’s unclear if anybody will heed the warnings.

“You possibly can publicize risks and the lawlessness actions, but it surely stays to be seen whether or not that is sufficient to truly dissuade anybody,” added Steinberg. “It may have the alternative impact too, as some will need to participate just because it’s taboo.”

Such challenges will doubtless proceed till – and doubtless even after – somebody will get significantly damage or killed.

“They’re solely attending to get extra ridiculous, harmful and excessive. Our society has a aggressive nature to outdo each other, and these challenges actually present that,” stated Steinberg. “The place do you draw the road? I am undecided. We have already seen that folks received damage with the milk crate problem final 12 months, and that did not cease it. On the one hand this may very well be Darwinism at work.”

Know-how analyst Roger Entner of Recon Analytics was much more blunt in his evaluation of such challenges, “To cite the everlasting truths of Forrest Gump’s mother: ‘Silly is as silly does’ and there’s no treatment for silly.”