Local Officials Warn Parents About TikTok 'Outlet Challege'

NEW JERSEY — Causing an electric shock with a penny is not the way to observe Lincoln's Birthday.

Police in New Jersey are warning parents about a dangerous viral "challenge" that targets kids via social media — particularly on the app TikTok. The stunt can result in fire and death, and recently caused a fire at a Virginia high school.

Among other towns, the Millburn, NJ fire department spread the word on Facebook late Friday afternoon to warn parents about the stunt.

"This [challenge] can result in damage to electrical systems, fire and potentially serious injuries," they wrote.

The "challenge" is called the Outlet Challenge or the Penny Challenge.

The kids are encouraged to record a video of themselves inserting a phone charger part into an outlet, then touching a coin to the prongs.

Officials are telling parents to look for scorched outlets around their house and to "talk to your children to let them know the incredible dangers associated with this challenge."

Judging from news reports, officials began warning parents about this challenge in late January. On Thursday of this week, Virginia news outlets reported on a fire at a local high school that was attributed to a student trying the challenge. The student was arrested.

In Massachusetts this week, officials warned of specific injuries and hazards of the challenge, including burns to the face.

With the advent of social media, these challenges have gone viral over the years, including a "cinnamon challenge" that can prove fatal, as ingesting cinnamon can coat the passageways and impede breathing.