Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
TikTok causes death and arrest
Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Dark side of TikTok exposed after it sparks two lawsuits with one death and the arrest of two teenagers

Many have been involved in crimes linked to the app.

TikTok is one of the biggest social media platforms, with hundreds of millions of users in the U.S. alone. While it serves as a positive outlet for many, the app’s darker side underscores the importance of caution and awareness while using it.

Recommended Videos

TikTok challenges have been around since the app gained popularity, with users participating in viral trends including lip-syncing, creative stunts, and dance routines. Some trends have evolved into dangerous — and sometimes illegal, such as the Kia Challenge — scenarios, yet many continue to participate, which shows the extreme lengths some users will go to for social media clout. 

Recently, two Kyle, Texas, teens — aged 17 and 19 years old — were arrested and charged with making a terroristic threat. On the afternoon of Jan. 29, the two followed a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old as they walked home from school. They approached the children and asked if they wanted to participate in a kidnapping prank for social media. Thankfully, the children had the wherewithal to contact their parents immediately after the odd interaction, and the police were alerted. Officers from the Kyle Police Department confronted the teens, who said that they were attempting to recreate a prank that they saw on TikTok.

Several individuals have faced arrest due to TikTok pranks, including one that occurred late last year. Charles Smith, aka Wolfie Kahletti on TikTok, went viral after uploading a video showing himself spraying pesticides on fresh produce at a Walmart in Phoenix, Arizona. He turned himself in less than 24 hours later and was charged with adding poison or harmful substance to food, burglary, endangerment, and criminal damage.

In yet another TikTok-related incident, 20-year-old Mariska Nunn from Minnesota was recently charged with felony criminal vehicular homicide, months after being involved in an accident that left an innocent man dead. On Sept. 3, 2024, Mariska was driving home when she hit 81-year-old Dean Chadbourne, who was walking on the side of the road. Mariska called 911 and Dean was brought to the hospital immediately after the incident but died of his injuries less than an hour later.

Initially, Mariska told police she wasn’t using her phone while driving. However, she later admitted to watching TikTok videos at the time of the incident. This was corroborated by cellphone data the police obtained, which revealed she had been using the app at that time, complete with the time stamps, with the last activity recorded just one minute before she called 911. Mariska’s obsession with the app and her recklessness ended in a tragedy that could have been avoided if she had just waited to get home before using TikTok.

These incidents are not limited to the U.S. as similar cases have occurred worldwide. In Giza, Egypt, a TikTok prank took a tragic turn when two children accidentally caused the death of their friend whom they left tied up in a warehouse for three hours. In Venezuela, three children have lost their lives while allegedly attempting TikTok challenges. In one tragic case, a 12-year-old reportedly ingested tranquilizer pills as part of a challenge to stay awake. As a result, the Venezuelan Supreme Court fined TikTok $10 million for not having more stringent measures to safeguard its users, especially young children.


We Got This Covered is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Jean Mendoza
Jean Mendoza
Jean has been a freelance writer since 2007 and has contributed to outlets such as Lomography, Inquisitr, and Grunge. Her expertise include true crime, history, and weird and interesting facts. Her spare time is spent listening to podcasts, reading books, and gaming.