Streamers face outrage for sticking forks in outlets in shocking trend

Streamers are facing backlash for sticking metal utensils into appliances and electrical outlets, sparking concern that their antics might inspire impressionable viewers to do the same.

On January 20, Australian streamer ‘imboggles’ copped a 30-day suspension from Twitch after sticking metal forks into two toasters.

In an obviously edited bit, the streamer was flung backwards as sparks flew from the appliances… but despite the incident being completely faked, he still received a swath of backlash from viewers.

It looks like other broadcasters are following suit after boggles’ clip went viral, with one Kick streamer recreating a similar moment that’s also sparking a heated debate online.

Kick streamer sticks wet fork into electrical outlet

Kick streamer ‘Grish’ is at the center of yet another conversation on the ethics of dangerous viral challenges after his latest broadcast caught traction on social media.

During a January 22 live stream, Grish decided to partake in what he’s calling the ‘outlet challenge’ by sticking a wet fork into an electrical outlet.

After sticking the fork in the socket, Grish’s stream played a pre-recorded and edited bit where the outlet exploded with smoke, showing himself ‘knocked out’ on the floor of his house.

Didn't have a toaster so I guess this is good enough #outletchallenge pic.twitter.com/rG5kG9SE6O

— Grish (@Grishuh) January 23, 2024

Various clips from the broadcast have found their way onto Twitter/X, leaving netizens concerned that impressionable viewers might try to recreate Grish’s antics and seriously hurt themselves.

“Don’t do these challenges, kiddos,” one user cautioned.

“How long until this kills somebody live?” another asked.

“Keep pushing this fake meta till some kid kills themselves doing it for real,” another said.

Despite the backlash, Grish seems to be eating up the attention he’s getting online… but this wouldn’t be the first time a viral online trend has caused outrage over the danger it could pose to impressionable audiences.

In fact, TikTok famously banned the ‘milk crate challenge’ back in 2021 after doctors reported an increase in injuries as the viral trend took over the internet, sparking oodles of videos of netizens recreating the fad for their own pages.