Social media challenges prove to be a challenge for parents to keep their kids out of harm's way. While some are very inspiring, some are truly idiotic.  The “Tide Pod Challenge” is one of those idiotic challenges and it has doctors and parents concerned.

How did this challenge get started I have no idea, but it consists of people popping the small laundry detergent pack into their mouth while videotaping them choking and gagging on the product.  Sounds like fun, right?

ABC affiliate KIII reports that it started as a joke, but in 2015 The Onion posted a column from the prospective of a young child who wanted to eat the pod. Nevertheless, American Association of Poison Control Centers received reports of more than 10,500 cases of laundry detergent pods by children 5 years and under in 2017.

There are even Tide Pod memes on social media.

If one of these Tide Pods are consumed, drink a class or water or milk and contact the Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222 or go to the emergency room immediately.

More From Mix 93.1