‘NekNomination’ – an internet phenomenon gradually getting more dangerous and getting closer to home with every second.
Following the six degrees of separation theory, the same goes with neck nominations, there’s bound to be someone you know who is nominating. Most of us have experienced that dreaded feeling when receiving a Facebook notification… have you been nominated!? Then there is of course that inner turmoil in your head (without trying to tempt fate of course) – but if you were actually nominated, what would you do?
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What started out as a “harmless” downing of beer or cider in Australia has now turned into a game of one-upmanship, with each person trying to outdo their nominator. Admittedly, this does bring excitement to this craze; always dying to know how daring someone is (a couple of my personal favourites being a naked guy in a wolf mask in the refectory, a midnight swim in the Roger Stevens fountains and a woman riding on a horse in Tesco). Then there is also that unwritten rule that is of course obligatory: you cannot simply avoid your nomination and it HAS to be completed within 24 hours.
Although this just seems like harmless banter, it is no surprise that this obsession with constantly trying to better each other has had devastating consequences – begging the question has this craze gone too far now? With beer and cider considered too “safe” and “boring”, teenagers have now resorted to drinking whole bottles of spirits such as vodka, or even their own bodily fluids, car polish and even live goldfish!! After two deaths already and numerous injuries, many organisations are begging for the dangerous effects of this game to be considered, and for it to be stopped for good.
This disturbing photograph, originally taken by a frightened mother, has been posted on social media websites and used in newspaper articles as a warning of the consequences participating in this activity could have.
From a professional point of view, posting these videos online could also be having a serious impact on future careers. It is a well known fact that employers use social media to gain an insight into the character of a prospective employee so why are people posting videos that highlight their sheer stupidity, reckless nature and lack of dignity? Camp America have already tweeted a warning encouraging people not to participate in this online game.
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One organisation that can’t be complaining is Facebook – since essentially being beaten by Twitter and considered ‘a thing of the past’ it has now become the platform for these neck and nominate videos to be viewed and shared internationally. Surprisingly, through the medium of social media, the neck and nomination, a game originating in Australia, has now become popular in many different countries and of course a huge thing in universities where the boozing culture is prominent already. Perhaps it’s just me, but I still feel amazed by the power of technology – a simple nomination of a friend in a different country can trigger a new craze and unite youngsters around the world who are all performing these outrageous acts.
A very clever man in South Africa has obviously recognised the potential in this social media hype and used it to his advantage: by taking the traditional neck and nominate premise he has instead used his video to make people aware of poverty by aiding the poor and then nominating others to do the same. (Link to YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-wztJ4m6xE- it’s well worth a watch!)
Some others have followed suit with the new RAK nomination (random act of kindness nomination), whether this be donating to charity or helping a friend in need, this should definitely be the direction that these videos should follow. Instead of trying to prove you are able to down a drink with various sorts of alcohol, we should be motivating each other to do good and use the power of social media to make a change in the world.
So thanks for reading this article, please take this as a warning – instead of downing alcohol I nominate you all to perform one random act of kindness. Thank you, good luck. You have 24 hours.
(Here are a couple of articles that explain ‘neknomination’ in further detail:
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2554417/The-deadly-teenage-drinking-craze-fuelled-Facebook-Terrifying-online-fad-sees-young-people-pints-spirits-mixed-car-polish-Viagra-live-goldfish.html
- NekNomination: Police probe ‘Tesco horse dare’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-26047449)
By Kirsty Rhodes