A dangerous imitation trend has reportedly been spreading across social media platforms in mainland China, with teenagers attempting bizarre stunts involving chairs and other everyday objects in pursuit of laughs, attention and online views.
Some youngsters have been filming themselves squeezing their legs through chair armrests or pushing their heads and arms into gaps in plastic stools. However, several attempts have ended with participants becoming firmly trapped and unable to free themselves, prompting firefighters in different parts of China to carry out rescues.
In Huai’an, Jiangsu, firefighters were recently called to help a teenage girl who had just graduated from primary school and was stuck in an office chair. She had inserted both legs through the gaps in the chair’s armrests, leaving herself effectively locked into the seat.
Firefighters reportedly had to work together, with one supporting the girl while another carefully pushed her legs outwards. After considerable effort, they eventually managed to free her.
The girl later said she had seen the so-called “chair challenge” online the night before and decided to try it herself out of curiosity.
A similar incident occurred in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, in January when another schoolgirl became trapped after placing her head and right arm through the opening of a small plastic stool.
Firefighters feared that forcibly pulling her out could cause further joint injuries, so they placed cardboard around her for protection before using scissors and pliers to gradually dismantle the stool. The girl reportedly said she had attempted it after seeing online claims that people could not get themselves out.
The trend is not limited to indoor challenges. Another activity reportedly involves wrapping one’s legs around a street lamp post or bus stop pole in a crossed position and attempting to free oneself afterwards.
In Chenzhou, Hunan, a young boy reportedly became stuck after attempting the stunt. Prolonged pressure on his legs caused swelling and numbness, leaving him unable to stand. Three firefighters eventually helped move him carefully before he was taken for medical attention.
Medical experts warned that such stunts can cause serious injuries because a person’s body weight can increase the pressure on tightly wrapped legs, effectively creating a “self-locking” effect.
The extreme positioning can place excessive stress on the knees, hips and ankles, potentially damaging structures such as the meniscus and ligaments. Children and teenagers may be particularly vulnerable as their bodies are still developing.
Authorities and official media have criticised the trend as pointless and potentially dangerous, while firefighters have urged parents to pay closer attention to what their children are copying online.
What may appear to be a harmless social media challenge can quickly turn into a dangerous situation, especially when participants underestimate how difficult it can be to escape once their bodies become trapped.
