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From left: celebrity choreographer Shing Mak; singer Yanki Din; and hip-hop dance teacher JM ‘Justin’ Vergara show off their moves. Photo: Handout

Accept this challenge: don’t copy stupidity

The so-called Kiki challenge popularised online has the potential to endanger both the participants and others. Copying such an act just to be trendy must be discouraged

Social media sometimes spreads stupidity across the globe like an epidemic. But a new online challenge that has people jumping out of a moving vehicle and dancing alongside before hopping back in has taken the nonsense to the next level. The act is not just foolish, it endangers the participant and other road users.

Worryingly, the risky craze has spread to Hong Kong. At least three locals have released short video clips of themselves dancing in the street or in a car park while someone inside a moving car films the act through an open door. Whether there will be more followers remains to be seen. Even though these acts did not seem to pose any immediate danger to anyone, our narrow streets and heavy traffic make such a stunt potentially dangerous. The local police did not comment on the Post’s report on the trend, but their counterparts in some countries have warned against such an act and pledged to follow up if traffic offences were involved.

What's the Kiki challenge and why are Hongkongers doing it?

Inspired by a song by Canadian rapper Drake and the dances of online celebrity Shiggy and others, the so-called In My Feelings, or the Kiki challenge, has taken the world by storm over the past month. But the challenge also resulted in numerous injuries, with dancers crashing into lamp posts, tripping on potholes or falling while climbing out of or back into a moving vehicle. One clip showed a woman having her handbag snatched while another showed a dancing man being hit by a vehicle in the opposite lane.

Those who managed to do the stunt may feel cool and proud, especially when their video attracts likes and comments. This is compounded by the pressure to keep abreast of the latest trend among online friends. What one is doing or not doing on social media is, after all, closely followed by peers nowadays.

The penetration and influence of social media means there will be more instant sensations. Some are driven by good causes, such as the ice bucket challenge four years ago and the recent one to promote waste reduction. Some, however, are nothing more than reckless acts that endanger oneself and others. We hope Hongkongers are smart enough to tell the difference. Copying ridiculous and irresponsible acts to stay trendy must be discouraged.

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