Viral drinking game proves deadly

by Adam Lucier

A new Internet drinking game has become popular amongst kids and young adults on social networks.

To date, the game has been connected to at least five deaths, including a 10-year-old boy, according to BBC news. Even Ross Samson, the games originator, admits the game has gotten out of control.

“In light of the deaths of people taking it too far, I would rather not be attached to it in any way, any more,” he told the Mirror, a British news site.

The game is named Neknominate, which comes from the English slang term “neck” – which means to down an alcoholic drink – and nominate.

The game involves a participant finishing a drink, sometimes beer or a more potent liquor, and performing dangerous acts while intoxicated. Often videos of the game are posted to social networking sites where participants then nominate one or two of their friends to try and outdo them.

According to the Mirror, Neknominate originated when London Irish rugby star Ross Samson uploaded a Facebook video on Christmas day of him “necking” a bottle of beer. He then challenged others and posted, “I nominate all of you whose birthday it’s not. Merry Christmas.”  The video quickly went viral and groups popped up online with videos of people accepting Samson’s challenge.

The game has swept across Britain and Ireland and the numerous posts on Facebook and YouTube have inspired young people in North America to make their own Neknominate videos. Despite its increasing popularity some believe the trend will be short lived.

“I think it’s an amusing challenge but it is just a fad, like the cinnamon challenge or the Harlem Shake,” said University of Windsor art student Paige Godin. “Unfortunately this one is a lot more dangerous due to the fact that there is alcohol and crazy stunts involved.”

She also questions the logic behind the challenge,

“If you want to show off, putting your life in danger is not the way to do it,” Godin added.

Another issue facing the viral sensation is that many of the participants are underage.

“If you’re of age, you can make your own decisions on whether you want to participate in these stunts. Underage kids rely on others to get the alcohol for them, you could put blame on them for allowing underage kids to get involved with the challenge,” said U of W engineering student Stewart McLellan.

However, it’s not only youth taking up the challenge. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford posted a video on his YouTube channel “Ford Nation” where he drank a pint glass with a mix of vodka, tequila and what he referred to as “City Hall Gravy.” At the end of the video Ford nominated Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne to participate in the Internet craze. Wynne has yet to respond.

Not all those involved in the nomination trend are putting themselves in harms way. Some have taken to social networks to promote more positive nomination videos. Young adults have filmed themselves paying parking meters for others and feeding the homeless, trying to create a chain reaction similar to Neknominations.

“As negative as many of the videos have been, it’s nice to see some positive things coming out of it,” said 18-year-old Emily Taylor. “Seeing people trying to make a difference is motivating.”

After making international news in the UK, Neknominations have gone viral in North America. As it becomes more popular, awareness about the health hazards will become more common. Time will tell if the game will result in more fatalities before the fad subsides.