Every now and then, a social media-driven challenge comes up, that has everyone raving, some for a good cause and others are just blehhh…
For instance, recently UNICEF initiated a #BringBackOurChildhood
There’s also the #GloUpChallenge which is a foreign version of Nigeria’s own #Surulere. This challenge encourages people to post pictures of themselves, showing a gradual progression, a before and after mix where after is better than before. This too can be said to have a positive undertone.
The ALS #icebucketchallenge was also one that was geared towards a good cause, and went viral on social media. People were encouraged to take the ice bucket challenge and then make a donation to the ALS cause, even Bill gates took the challenge.
The ice bucket challenge did set off some other copycat campaigns, from the Beer Bucket Challenge, to the Rice Bucket Challenge.
Unfortunately, not every internet-driven viral campaign is for a good cause, like the recently trending #KylieJennerCampaign. One cannot exactly trace how this trend began, but kids every where are actively participating even though they usually end up with bruises. The challenge has them hold a shot glass, a bottle or a cup over their lips and creating suction until their lips become swollen.
The challenge was named after Kylie Jenner for her sexy pouty lips, although they could easily have named it ‘Angelina Jolie Challenge’ (Just saying).
Almost every African, Latina or any other person with naturally full lips will find the challenge ridiculous, annoying, repulsive or funny. However, it goes to show just another indication of how powerful social media is, as an instrument of change, motivation, and even the utterly ridiculous!