What Is the New TikTok Microwave Trend?
According to a press release obtained by Parade, Chabolla was treated at Loyola Medicine’s Burn Center. The burn center listed details of the incident, which occurred on Jan. 20, 2026. In the morning, the nine-year-old microwaved a NeeDoh cube sensory toy. The cube, which was filled with "gelatinous material," exploded in Chabolla's face and hands when he opened the microwave."There are many TikTok videos of people microwaving these toys to make them more pliable. Caleb, who is not on social media, heard from a friend at school and decided to try it, unaware of the risks," the press release reads.
When Chabolla's mother saw how much pain her son was in, she took him to the emergency room. From there, he was transferred to Loyola Medicine’s Burn Center. A spokesperson for the burn center tells Parade that Chabolla was treated for second-degree burns on his face, ear and hands.
Courtesy Loyola Medicine
Paula Petersen, a burn center advanced practice nurse, also shared the following statement in the press release: “Unfortunately, Caleb’s is the fourth case we have seen this year with NeeDoh cubes. Caleb is very lucky he didn’t sustain greater injuries.” Related: The Dangers of Water Beads: How a Popular Sensory Toy Could Cause a Trip to the Hospital or Worse
The Risks You Should Know About
"We have treated two teenagers in the last week who sustained burn injuries from this TikTok trend. We have seen second-degree burns to the face and hands from the heated silicone," she says.
Courtesy Loyola Medicine
A Shriner's Children press release obtained by Parade details how the organization has seen patients with burns from the microwave challenge at all four of its verified pediatric burn centers over the last few weeks.
"When children do begin to use a microwave—the appropriate age depends on parents’ and/or caregivers’ discretion—they need to learn what is and isn’t safe to put in the microwave," McKelvey tells Parade. "Toys and other objects not designed to go in the microwave can heat up to very high temperatures, resulting in fires and injuries, such as burns, that present serious risks to children and adults alike."
"Children are drawn to social media challenges because their brains are wired for belonging, novelty and social approval. Online platforms amplify those instincts. When kids see peers attempting a trend without immediate consequences, it creates a false sense of safety," clinical psychologist Dr. Jenny Yip says.
"Kids aren’t thinking about emergency rooms. They’re thinking about fitting in, being noticed and doing what looks normal in their online world," she tells Parade.
This is a critical element to consider before talking to your children, according to Mindful Care clinical psychiatrist Dr. Tamir Aldad."Children are not doing these challenges because they are reckless or unintelligent. They are doing them because their brains are still developing in a digital environment that is engineered to reward imitation, visibility and risk," he says.
"This is not about poor parenting or bad kids. It is about immature brains being exposed to adult-level persuasion systems without adequate protection," he stresses.
How Parents and Grandparents Should Talk About This Trend With Kids
"Effective conversations start with curiosity rather than fear or punishment. Ask children what they saw and what they thought would happen, then clearly explain that many online videos omit the moments when people get seriously hurt," Yip says.Related: 9 Empathic Phrases To Adopt To Be a Better Listener, According to a Psychologist
2. Explain the risks of social media challenges
"It also helps to give kids a simple rule they can remember, such as: 'If a video asks you to use heat, electricity, sharp objects, chemicals or anything you would not do in front of a trusted adult, it is automatically unsafe. No exceptions,'" Aldad notes.
4. Keep the lines of communication open
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Related: 7 ‘Often Overlooked’ Life Skills That Parents and Grandparents Should Teach Kids, a Child Psychologist Warns
Sources:
Dr. Alice Fagin, FACS, a burn surgeon with Shriners Children’s OhioSusan McKelvey, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Communications ManagerDr. Jenny Yip, clinical psychologist Dr. Tamir Aldad, Mindful Care clinical psychiatristHence then, the article about the dangerous tiktok microwave trend parents and grandparents should know about was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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