Viral social media challenge lands local teen in the hospital

LAWRENCE, Mass. — A dangerous prank going viral on social media is causing serious injuries for kids, including a local teen from Lawrence.

Kathleen DeJesus, a seventh-grader at Arlington Middle School, told Boston 25 News all she was told to do was jump. She had no idea that jump would land her in the hospital for days, and out of school for weeks.

“My friends asked me, want to play a game of who can jump the highest? I jumped and they kicked me from the back of my leg and I fell and I hit my head," she said.

DeJesus says she did the “Skull-Breaker Challenge” in January in the school gym so her friends could post it on TikTok. The 13-year-old ended up with fractures in her neck area and says she is lucky to be alive.

“I was crying and yelling that I needed help, my neck was hurting. I said I needed an ambulance,” said DeJesus.

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Her mother, Yanet has a message for all parents. "Check the phones of your kids. What they are looking at online. And talk with the kids.

Her mom went on to tell us she wants more action from school officials and someone needs to be held accountable.

Nearby police departments told Boston 25 News their school resource officers will make sure students are aware of the potential dangers and the TikTok app.

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