We've all heard of the ice bucket challenge, the bare face selfie and Neknominate. All of which were "challenges" doing the rounds on social networks.
Some of those were in good jest to raise money for charity but others such as Neknominate, where people had to drink an alcoholic drink and then nominates others, gained criticism.
A scary new social media game seems to be popular with teenagers in America, and it is a fad I hope doesn't reach our shores.
The Fire Challenge is a brainless stunt in which someone covers themselves with a flammable liquid and then sets themselves on fire. Of course, this is also being filmed by someone and the footage is posted online.
This "game" really is stupidity to the extreme. So far there have been two reported deaths in America as a result.
When things such as this go viral it is often hard to contain them or to stop others from taking part and I hope no-one here falls into the peer-pressure trap and takes part in this so-called challenge.
Last week we spoke to a Mount Maunganui burns victim who is horrified this new fad is gaining popularity.
Donna Gregory-Marshall said the challenge was ridiculous, dangerous and insulting.
When she was just 11 months old, Mrs Gregory-Marshall unwittingly pulled a jug of boiling water over herself.
She has lived with scars from third-degree burns since. She is one of many burns victims who didn't choose to have the scars they have to look at every day.
The people who undertake the Fire Challenge are risking their lives by taking part in this game.
I can only hope that people will come to their senses before this game becomes as popular as other social media challenges.
• Anita Moran is the chief reporter at the Bay of Plenty Times.
