Netflix's The Crown is to pay ultimate tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II when the sixth and final season airs.

The popular show has seen three actresses - Claire Foy, Olivia Colman and Imelda Staunton - depict the role of the former monarch throughout various stages of her life from season one to season five.

Following the Queen's death last year, producers decided to continue filming, but making it the sixth and final season and there's reports that the streaming service plans to pay tribute to the late Queen by featuring a line up of its biggest stars from The Crown cast.

All three actresses who played the late Majesty are set to appear once again as its claimed new scenes have been filmed starring them.

But that's not all, newcomer Viola Prettejohn will play a very young Queen Elizabeth II during her younger years from the war time.

According to The Sun, the decision to revisit the Queen's life and mark it in someway came after record-breaking viewers tuned in to watch the Queen's funeral.

The insider teased, "Netflix are playing a clever hand with these four queens, bringing the story of Her Majesty to a sensational end after telling virtually all of her life story over 60 episodes.

“It also indicated the respect and affection which the creators have for the lates monarch, even though they might not feel the same way about the royals as an institution."

They added, "The idea would most likely have been devised last year, around the time that the Queen passed away, as a way of paying tribute to her. Getting the actresses together was no feat as both Claire and Olivia went on to bigger things after making The Crown and have packed schedules.”

The Crown previously shared a statement defending the show after it was branded 'deliberately hurtful' to royals and fans are eagerly awaiting season 6, which is set to air in 2023.

And while the sixth season is set to feature events leading up to the Queen's death, there is talk of creators of The Crown making a film about the Windsors - looking at Elizabeth before her reign or the rift between Prince William and Prince Harry.

Video of the week

The weather is getting warmer again, which means parents are looking for ways to keep kids entertained on long family walks.

As the summer holidays approach, it's that time of year again where parents start looking for things to do with kids during their time off school. While some may opt for a city break, seeking out the best free things to do in London with the family, others prefer to get outside in nature and take their kids on a nice country walk.

But while the fresh air and exercise might be good for them, not all kids enjoy the idea of a family walk, and sometimes parents are in need of ways to keep them entertained. Luckily, one TikTok mum has shared her cheap and easy idea - and all you need is a pen, a piece of cardboard and a pair of scissors.

Mum-of-two Megan Roberts shared this sweet activity on TikTok, where the video has since racked up over one million views and almost 70 thousand likes. In the video, she cuts out the shape of a lion's head from a piece of cardboard, drawing its face in the middle and poking holes around the outside where the mane is.

While on the walk her kids search for flowers they can pick and put through the holes in the cardboard. At the end of the walk, Megan shows the pretty creation, with colourful wildflowers making up the lion's mane. She captions the video, "Try this to keep your little ones entertained on a walk this spring / summer 🌞💐".

Many TikTok users were impressed by Megan's homemade activity. One commented, "Omg adorable and so smart!!! Definitely gonna do this! 🥰", while another said, "This is such a cute idea! Good motor skill activity too 👏".

Others suggested things you could do with the pretty creations after the walk, with one saying, "I think it would be pretty cute if you pressed the flowers when you get home,". Another user added, "Put it in a press, then frame it 🥰".

And some pointed out that you might not get very far on your walk if you use this hack to keep kids occupied, with one commenting, "Love it! wouldn't walk far but kiddo would be so happy 🥰", while another said, "Wouldn't be much of a walk 😆".

If you do fancy trying this activity, make sure you're familiar with where and which flowers you are allowed to pick. While council-maintained areas and nature reserves are off limits, wild flowers are generally fine. 

However, some types of flower are protected, such as Bluebells, so you should not pick these. You can find the full list of protected flowers at legislation.gov.uk.

Looking for more ways to keep kids entertained? Check out this list of crafts for kids, these mindfulness activities for kids, and our pick of the best kids movies on Netflix.

Video of the Week

Parents have been issued an urgent warning about fake Bluey episodes surfacing on YouTube kids - and they're so inappropriate.

Kids mistakenly watching rude content online is every parent's nightmare but with the ever growing reliance on technology like mobile phones and child-suitable tablets, with parents still have to devise clever tricks to get their kids to put the devices down, the world wide web is even more accessible to young children.

But while TikTok is banned in some states, and as much as you can filter out the adult and age-inappropriate content or child-lock some content platforms to protect your kids from what they might accidentally click on, there's a new hidden danger and it could easily go unnoticed.

Parents using YouTube kids to access their children's favourite shows like Bluey season 3, are being warned about fake Bluey episodes that contain 'odd' storylines - and they're so cleverly done that the only way you know its inappropriate is by watching the episode in full. 

At first glance, one mum thought she had passed her child a regular episode of Bluey to watch, but on closer inspection, she realised something wasn't quite right about the show. 

Not only was it fake, but it also showed a reimagined Bluey and Bingo crying in the first scene. Meanwhile, other mums had also spotted other 'odd' story lines on the fake Bluey show including one where a character eats faeces and another where the parents were hitting the kids. 

One mum alerted other parents on a Facebook Bluey fan page, "Honestly, I just turned it off ASAP so I don't know what happens but Bluey and Bingo were crying in the first scene but it's nothing like (Bluey). It's on Kid's YouTube, be careful,"

The fake Bluey episodes, uploaded on Lotus Animation Story's YouTube page, featured the characters in different colours but they have the same names and animation style.

The episodes and the account has been since suspended from the site after parents proceeded to raise their concerns and report it.

Another parent asked, "'Has anyone seen this? My husband put it on for our daughter and it's NOT Bluey,"

While a third parent explained, "I won't let my kids watch this version, it's odd and weird things happen. My three year old screamed and shut it off one day because the parents were hitting Bluey and Bingo and it freaked him out. That was the day YouTube got removed from the TVs."

The YouTube kids app on which the content was found enables parents to control and filter inappropriate content but on this occasion the clips slipped through the net.

Another mum explained, "'There are so many of these animations for Bluey that are so inappropriate, I had to go through and block them all."

You can see the difference with the official Instagram account for Bluey below.

And Stephanie Lowe, Family Editor at Goodto.com and mum to son Ted, has shared why she prefers to use official streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer and Disney+, "I have trust issues with Youtube and only ever used BBC iPlayer or Disney+ to play Bluey.

"I'm obsessed with wondering what - in my son's daily life - might become a core memory, anything watched can't be unseen. So I try to cover all my bases including never watching Peppa Pig and never leaving child on YouTube."

You can find out more about Disney+ subscription deals below...

We asked the experts if air fryers are toxic, after several viral TikTok videos caused panic among consumers.

If you're an avid TikTok user, then you've probably noticed a few videos cropping up that claim air fryers are toxic. These handy kitchen appliances have dramatically grown in popularity over the past year or so, partly because they are reported to be a low-cost way of making meals amid the cost of living crisis, and partly because there are so many things you can cook in an air fryer. And while many have previously questioned whether air fryers are healthy, it's only recently that some have wondered if they could be toxic.

Jim Finley, CEO of My Cleanse Plan, told us: "Research on the safety of air fryers is ongoing, and while there have been some studies that have raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with the use of air fryers, the overall consensus is that air fryers are generally safe to use." With that in mind, let's take a look at where the TikTok claims have come from...

Are air fryers toxic?

Most air fryers are not toxic. The TikTok videos that claim air fryers are toxic point to the Teflon coating as the health hazard, but modern Teflon is no longer manufactured with the chemical PFOA - meaning the vast majority of air fryers are safe to use.

Teflon is the brand name of a chemical coating (polytetrafluoroethylene), and is often used on cook wear as a non-stick coating. PFOA, which Teflon used to be manufactured with, has been linked to liver and kidney disease. However, Teflon manufacturers eliminated PFOA from all of their cookware in 2013, so any air fryers made after then will be safe to use.

Jim Finley, explained, "While it is true that some air fryers may produce harmful compounds when heated to high temperatures, it's important to note that not all air fryers are created equal.

"Some air fryers are made with materials that are more likely to release harmful chemicals when heated, while others are made with safer materials such as stainless steel or ceramic. Additionally, the type of food being cooked and the temperature at which it is cooked can also affect the formation of harmful compounds."

Even then, it's usually only when cooking at high temperatures of 500F (260C) or above that toxic fumes could be released, and most air fryers don't reach temperatures that high.

Do air fryers produce harmful chemicals?

Cooking food at high temperatures can in some instances produce chemicals. Oil can produce smoke and other potentially harmful chemicals at high temperatures, while starchy foods can produce acrylamide.

Jim Finley said: "One important factor to consider when using an air fryer is the type of oil that you use. While air fryers can reduce the amount of oil needed to cook food, it is still important to choose a healthy oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil or coconut oil, to minimize the formation of harmful compounds when cooking."

While air fryers are no more likely to produce these chemicals than cooking food in an oven, damaged non-stick coating in an air fryer can cause toxins to be released into the air and food. So, avoid using rough tools when cleaning your air fryer, so you don't damage the coating.

If you’re really worried about the non-stick, consider an air fryer made from ceramic or stainless steel instead, like the Ninja Air Fryer MAX AF160UK (one of our best air fryers), which has a ceramic-coated pan and crisper plate. 

• View Ninja Air Fryer MAX AF160 - RRP £169.99 | Ninja

Our Features Writer, Ellie Hutchings, recently put the Ninja Air Fryer Max to the test. She said: "You can cook whole meals for several people using this air fryer - and you can even bake desserts in it too. The range of cooking modes means there are pretty much limitless options in terms of what recipes you can try, so I can see myself using the Ninja air fryer really regularly."

Read our full review of the Ninja Air Fryer MAX AF160UK here.

What is acrylamide and should you be worried about it?

Acrylamide is a chemical that can be created by cooking processes including baking, air frying, and toasting, and it is considered a carcinogen - meaning it could cause cancer.

However, the claims that acrylamide causes cancer are based only on studies in laboratory animals, and there is no research linking acrylamide consumption to cancer in humans.

Acrylamide is most commonly found in foods that have a lot of sugar or amino acids, like potato chips and French fries, and during the heating process of these foods a series of chemical reactions result in the formation of acrylamide.

Antoaneta Dimitrova, cleaning services manager at Fantastic Services, explains, "Due to the way air fryers work, they produce fewer harmful chemicals than traditional frying methods. However, cooking certain foods, like potatoes, at a high temperature can still produce acrylamide."

How do I prevent acrylamide in my air fryer?

It's not necessarily the appliance that creates acrylamide, it because it can be naturally present in food.

In fact, when compared to deep frying, air frying food can actually lower acrylamide content by up to 90 percent, according to a 2015 study in the Journal of Food Science. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends soaking starchy vegetables in water for around 15 minutes before cooking and making sure not to cook food at a too high temperature for too long to reduce acrylamide.

Antoaneta recommends soaking food for an hour. She adds, "You can also use a cooking spray or your favourite oil to coat the food before placing it in the air fryer. Needless to say, you need to avoid overcooking and burning food."

How to use your air fryer safely

Avoid using a non-stick air fryer if the material is damaged, scratched, or chipping, and make sure you use wooden or heat-resistant silicone utensils in your air fryer minimize the chance of scratching the non-stick coating.

You should never put plastic containers or Tupperware in your air fryer, or leave it plugged in when not in use. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's guide before using your air fryer. 

As Jim Finley said, "It's important to follow proper usage guidelines when using an air fryer. This includes preheating the air fryer before use, not overcrowding the basket with food, and avoiding cooking foods that are high in fat or oil."

Looking for more air fryer content? Check out our round up of the best air fryer cook books, and best air fryer recipes - plus find out how much it costs to run an air fryer too.

Video of the Week

A mom who lost her daughter in a public play area used the 'looking loudly' technique to find her child in a matter of minutes.

Losing a child in a busy public place is a constant fear for many parents, and while your first reaction might be to call out their name, one mom on TikTok has shared a much more effective way of looking for straying children.

Wedding photographer Krista Piper recently posted a TikTok explaining she had taken her daughter to a "huge" kids' play area with lots of "little nooks and crannies" when she lost sight of her.

Krista said "thank God for TikTok", as she revealed that she had come across the 'looking loudly' method in a video another mom has posted on the platform after losing her child in a supermarket.

The 'looking loudly' technique involves shouting a description of your child - whether that's what their wearing or their hair color - rather than just their name, to help other members of the public identify them too. 

Krista explained in her TikTok, "So that is what I did. I stopped calling out her name, and I started yelling, 'little girl, pink shirt, pink Minnie Mouse shirt.'

"I'm sure people thought that I was a little crazy, she was probably only missing for like a minute, to maybe a minute and a half, but for me it felt like eternity."

She went on to say that after shouting a description of her daughter, she began to hear other moms repeating the same thing, and it wasn't long before someone spotted her.

Krista said: "If you ever lose your child, or dog or anything, yell out their description, raise your voice. You know, I probably looked like a crazy person, but it got the job done."

She wrote in the caption, "I’m so happy i saw that tiktok of what to do when your kid goes missing. I found her fast by raising my voice and saying a description of what she was wearing."

Social media users were quick to praise the hack in the comments, with one writing, "this is so smart 👏👏 im glad you found her quick, we've all been there." 

Others shared further tips for using the 'looking loudly' technique, with one revealing, "I take a picture when we go to crowded places just incase I forget what she's wearing." Another said, "I take a picture when we go to crowded places just incase I forget what she's wearing."

Related features:

• Has TikTok been banned in the US? Everything we know
• Mum's genius TikTok hack for getting kids ready for school
• This GENIUS parenting hack for never having to call your kids down for dinner
• Kate Middleton's morning parenting hack that helps keep her in shape
• The 8-minute hack to stop a crying baby

Video of the Week

You've probably seen people posting their personalised festival line-ups all over Instagram and Twitter, so here's how to get the Spotify festival line-up.

It's that time of year again when people are wondering when does Spotify Wrapped come out, and while the wait is almost over, there's a new app that's caught the attention of music fans. 

Even better than getting Glastonbury tickets or tickets to see Harry Styles would be a personalised music festival where the line-up is made of all your favourite artists. It's a shame it doesn't exist, but the new Instafest app allows us to pretend. Here's how to get the Spotify festival line-up and everything to know about the Instafest app.

How to get the Spotify festival lineup

To create your own Spotify festival lineup, you need to head to the instafest.app website. Then, you can sign in with your Spotify or Last.fm to see your lineup.

Once you've logged in, the website will show you a list of your most listened artists in the style of a festival poster, separated into three different days. You can choose to have your top artists from the last four weeks, last six months or your top artists of all time to be included.

There's also the option to name your festival, and choose the style of the poster. 'Malibu Sunrise' shows a beach scene, 'LA Twilight' shows a city skyline at night, and 'Mojave Dusk' shows a desert sunset.

The website also gives you a 'basic score', which is a rating from 0-100 based on how niche the music you listen to is. The higher the score the more popular artists you have your lineup, while a low score suggests your music taste is pretty niche.

What is Spotify Instafest?

Instafest is an app created by Anshay Saboo, a student at the University of Southern California. It's a third-party app that uses data from Spotify accounts to automatically generate the fantasy festival posters.

In an interview for TechCruch, Saboo said he got the idea for the app while thinking about what Coachella’s lineup would look like if he picked the artists.

He said: "I had the idea when I was in bed scrolling through TikTok one day. I saw people were posting videos from Coachella and I started thinking about how I would set the Coachella lineup if I could pick the artists. The thought process led to me thinking about generating a music festival graphic using a Spotify integration, and I built off from there."

In another interview with Insider, Saboo said he was "floored by the response" online to his app.

"All my social media feeds have been filled with people posting their festival graphics, and it makes me really happy seeing people have fun sharing and talking about their festivals and music tastes."

Do you need to have Spotify to use Instafest?

You need to have either Spotify or Last.fm to be able to create a festival lineup with Instafest. If you don't have a Spotify account you can sign up for free, but you'll need to use the platform for a while before Instafest will have enough data to put together your lineup.

However, Saboo recently shared on Twitter that Instafest for Apple Music is on the way, giving music fans another option to create their dream festival lineup. 

Video of the Week

Who is Andrew Tate is a question that has been increasingly asked over recent months, as the kickboxer-turned-influencer repeatedly makes headlines for his misogynistic views.

Former Big Brother contestant Andrew Tate has been all over social media in recent months. Most recently he's been in the news after getting arrested and detained in Romania, with authorities extending Andrew Tate's release date several times, as their investigation into human trafficking, rape and organised crime allegations continue. The multi-millionaire influencer has been branded as a threat to young men for the misogynistic views he voices, because while platforms such as TikTok can play host to fun challenges and dance routines, they're also home to some dangerous trends - and Andrew Tate has has been branded as the 'King of Toxic Masculinity' for the content he puts out.

Tate has been criticised by domestic abuse charities and was banned from several social media sites, but while he remains in custody in Romania, a new BBC documentary has renewed interest in the controversial figure. The Dangerous Rise of Andrew Tate airs on BBC Three on February 21, and promises to delve into the self-confessed misogynist's rise to fame, while hearing from some of the women who allege they were abused by him. For those wondering where the controversial figure came from, here's everything you need to know about who Andrew Tate is, how he became famous and what his net worth is. 

Who is Andrew Tate?

Andrew Tate is a 36-year-old social media influencer and former kickboxer. He is the son of chess champion Emory Tate, and was born in Chicago but raised in Luton, and now lives in Romania.

Tate is also the founder of Hustler's University, an online community that claims to teach its 'students' to get rich quick by sharing tips on cryptocurrency, stocks, affiliate marketing and copywriting. He is also a commentator for Real Xtreme Fighting, the largest MMA promotion in Romania, but Tate first began life in the public eye when appearing on Big Brother in 2016.

Though Tate has been in the public eye for some time now, his profile has skyrocketed recently. According to The Guardian, this is a result of his followers and members of Hustler's University being encouraged to flood social media with videos of Tate, and to deliberately select the most controversial clips to boost engagement.

The comments Tate has made in such footage are overtly misogynistic and violent, and he's made it clear that he believes women are a man's property. Domestic abuse charities such as White Ribbon have warned that Tate's comments are capable of radicalising men and boys.

Before being banned from several of his social media accounts, Tate boasted 4.7 million Instagram followers, 768,000 YouTube subscribers and videos tagged with his name on TikTok have reportedly been viewed billions of times.

How did Andrew Tate make his money?

Andrew Tate made his money through his kickboxing career, investing in cryptocurrency and running Hustler's University - which costs $50 a month. 

He also opened a chain of casinos with his brother, Tristan Tate, and has a private members club that costs more than £4,000 to join.

In an interview with The Mirror, the brothers explained that they also have an adult webcam business, where they charge callers $4 a minute to talk to lingerie-clad models. The brothers themselves called the business a 'total scam'.

During a Twitch stream with well-know streamer Adin Ross, Tate claimed he is a trillionaire. He said "I don’t want to brag, but I’m a trillionaire, world’s first. I made my first million when I was, say, 27 and then I had 100 million by the time I was 31, and then I became a trillionaire quite recently."

However, there are currently no trillionaires on the planet.

Andrew Tate net worth

Despite his claims of being a trillionaire, The Sun recently reported that Andrew Tate has an estimated worth of around £41m, or $50m.

Most of Tate's brand involves showing off his millions, and he has posted pictures posing with numerous luxury cars, including a Rolls Royce, an Aston Martin, a Bugatti and a Ferrari.

Why is Andrew Tate famous?

Andrew Tate first made a name for himself when he was a contestant on the 17th season of Big Brother UK, in 2016. 

However, he was removed from the Big Brother house an explicit video surfaced of him hitting a woman with a belt. Both Tate and the women have denied any abuse occurred, and said that the clips show consensual sex.

Tate also came under fire at the time for racist and homophobic tweets that had surfaced, as well as some tweets that targeted Girls Aloud singer Cheryl. The tweets becoming public prompted fans of the Channel 5 show to demand he was removed from the Big Brother house.

Prior to his time on Big Brother, Tate had made a name for himself in the kickboxing world. According to his website, he won his first ISKA kickboxing title in 2009 and is a four-time world champion in ISKA kickboxing.

Since then, he has become infamous on social media for his extreme views, and has appeared as a guest on a few podcasts, including InfoWars, which is hosted by far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

What has Andrew Tate said about women?

In some of his videos, Andrew Tate has suggested that men can cheat but women can't, that women can't drive and belong in the home, and that rape victims "bear some responsibility" for being attacked.

He has also said has also said he would rather date 18-year-olds than 25-year-olds because he can "make an imprint" on teenagers who have had fewer sexual partners, and came under fire for tweeting that "Depression isn't real." 

White Ribbon, a charity that works to end male violence against women, told MailOnline that Tate's content shows "negative presentations of masculinity", and that men and boys who view his videos "may begin to adopt these attitudes and behaviours, believing that they are acting as the 'ideal man.'"

They added: "Not only does this create a lot of pressure on men and boys, often affecting their mental health and self-image, it also creates dangerous cultures and environments for women and girls to exist in.

"Sexist and derogatory comments exist on the same spectrum as controlling behaviour and physical and sexual violence, which creates environments where men go on to murder women."

However, Tate has denied holding misogynistic views and accused his critics of "twisting facts".

Why did Andrew Tate get banned?

Andrew Tate has been banned from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for offensive comments and violating the platforms' policies. He was also banned from Twitter, but re-joined the platform after Elon Musk took over.

A spokesperson for Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, confirmed that Tate's ban on the platforms is permanent, after he was removed for "violating [the company's] policies on dangerous organisations and individuals".

Google, which owns YouTube, told the BBC: "We terminated channels associated with Andrew Tate for multiple violations of our Community Guidelines and Terms of Service, including our hate speech policy."

Meanwhile, a TikTok spokesperson said: "Misogyny is a hateful ideology that is not tolerated on TikTok. We’ve been removing violative videos and accounts for weeks, and we welcome the news that other platforms are also taking action against this individual."

Ruth Davison, chief executive of women’s safety charity Refuge, released a statement following the bans. She said: "This is the kind of decisive action needed to tackle the online radicalisation of young men towards a violently misogynistic worldview.

"The same kind of action is now needed outside of high-profile cases like this – we know that women are experiencing stalking, harassment and abuse online every day, often without so much as a response from social media companies."

Video of the Week

Parents are being warned about the new Blackout Challenge on TikTok that is on the rise among children and teenagers. Here's everything you need to know and how to talk to your children about it.

The social media platform can be a useful place to learn the jean sizing hack or delicious recipes, but the platform also has a dark side - leading one US state to ban TikTok. You might have heard of the controversial character and frankly misogynistic Andrew Tate, but here's another worrying trend you should know about: the Blackout Challenge. 

The Blackout Challenge is an online trend that is proving to be dangerous, if not fatal, after it reportedly claimed the lives of four youngsters so far this year and is thought to be responsible for the devastating Archie Battersbee story. Stephanie Lowe, our Family Editor at Goodto.com tells us; "The scary thing about this challenge is its persistence in the social media world. It first started 14 years ago in 2008, and keeps cropping up for fresh influential eyes to see. I think the main thing for parents to do is to talk openly about it and discuss it in a neutral way. Kids listen more to conversations happening around them, so discuss it openly with others in front of them."

What is the Blackout Challenge on TikTok?

The Blackout Challenge on TikTok is where users are encouraged to hold their breath until they pass out due to a lack of oxygen. It can also be referred to as the "choking challenge" or the "pass-out challenge".

Archie Battersbee, the 12-year-old boy who sustained serious brain injury from his attempt, is just one of many children for whom the challenge has had devastating consequences on them and their families. According to PEOPLE, four children under the age of 12 have already died after attempting to copy the challenge.

It is thought that youngsters are keen to try the challenge as it involves intentionally trying to choke oneself or another in an effort to obtain a brief euphoric state or "high". But death or serious injury can result if strangulation is prolonged.

When did the Blackout Challenge start?

The Blackout Challenge is not as new as you may think - it's actually started back in 2008 as a choking game but it's now doing the rounds on TikTok and therefore reaching an audience in a different mode.

Experts are warning young users not to try the trend, which has led to over 80 deaths in the past, per the study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A TikTok spokesperson told PEOPLE that "this disturbing 'challenge,' which people seem to learn about from sources other than TikTok, long predates our platform and has never been a TikTok trend".

"We remain vigilant in our commitment to user safety and would immediately remove related content if found," they added.

Who is the Blackout Challenge creator?

It is not known who created Blackout Challenge, but WLWT reported on a teacher allowing the game to go around a school with pupils taking part and in 2016 a report circulated that warned about the choking game making a return to schoolyards via Youtube.

But any videos that have since been posted in TikTok of users trying to attempted the challenge has been blocked by TikTok, as those looking to watch the horrific challenge take place by searching Blackout Challenge receives a notice that the term has been banned for violating guidelines.

Signs that a child may be attempting the TikTok Blackout Challenge

• Discussion of the game – including other terms used for it, such as "pass–out game" or "space monkey"
• Bloodshot eyes
• Marks on the neck
• Severe headaches
• Disorientation after spending time alone
• Ropes, scarves, and belts tied to bedroom furniture or doorknobs or found knotted on the floor
• Unexplained presence of things like dog leashes, choke collars and bungee cords

How to talk to your kids about the blackout challenge

According to parenting expert Kirsty Ketley, talking to your children about peer pressure and what they see online without judgement is key to helping them work out what is and isn't safe.

She says "For tweens and teens this is hugely important as they are figuring out who they are and gaining more independence from their parents. It's important that parents remind their kids to take everything they see on social media with a pinch of salt and to make sure that their child feels able to chat with them about what they are seeing, so keep the lines of communication open." 

She adds: "Archie Battersbee's tragic story is a great starting point when chatting with your kids about this challenge and others like it. Hearing about the real life repercussions can be enough for most kids to think about what they are seeing on social media and what not to follow."

If you've been affected by this story, or whatever you're going through, you can call Samaritans free any time, from any phone on 116 123.  

Video of the Week

The 12-year-old died on 6 August after four months in a coma, leaving many asking what happened to Archie Battersbee?

Archie Battersbee was hospitalised after it's thought he attempted the blackout challenge, a dangerous TikTok trend that has recently emerged on the platform. Found unconscious by his mum at home in April 2022, doctors decided to end the 12-year-old's life support after he had spent nearly four months in a coma - though his parents fought to give him more time. Archie's sad story resonated with parents across the country, generating widespread sympathy and a reminder of the devastating effects social media can have.

Now, an inquest into his death has heard evidence that Archie had shared messages with others discussing self-harm and suicide, with a pre-inquest in November suggesting there was "no evidence" that Archie had been taking part in an online challenge. Here's what happened to Archie Battersbee.

How did Archie Battersbee get injured?

Archie's mother, Hollie Dance, believes he sustained his brain damage from taking part in a viral social media challenge, after she found him unconscious at their home on 7 April, 2022.

The trend is known as 'the blackout challenge' (also the 'choking challenge' or the 'pass-out challenge') and is one of the latest in a series of dangerous trends surfacing on TikTok. The challenge has already resulted in the deaths of eight-year-old Lalani Erika Renee Walton from Texas and nine-year-old Arriani Jaileen Arroyo from Wisconsin. Both the girls were apparently avid TikTok users and liked to post videos on the app.

However, at the pre-inquest hearing in Chelmsford in November 2022, Essex's senior coroner Lincoln Brookes said there was "no evidence at this stage to substantiate the concern" that Archie had been taking part in an online challenge.

Information downloaded from Archie's phone showed no evidence of him filming any video on the day he was injured and no photographs or videos to suggest he was taking part in the blackout challenge, but what they had found were messages in which Archie had discussed self-harm and suicide with others online.

Hollie Dance said she believes Archie's death was an accident, explaining that Archie was a talented gymnast and "thought he was the next Spider Man", adding she thinks "he climbed on the banister and probably fell, causing serious injury to his neck, resulting in unconsciousness."

How did Archie get brain damage?

The blackout challenge results in a lack of oxygen to the brain, which can be deadly. Although it's not known for certain if Archie was attempting the challenge, his mother initially believed this to be the case, after she found him with a ligature (a piece of knotted or tied fabric) round his head.

Dr Nick Flynn explained to the Irish Examiner the effects of the blackout challenge. He said: "What is actually going on in the brain is a lack of oxygen similar to when someone is drowning, choking, or having a cardiac arrest. If you have low oxygen to the brain for over three minutes you can get brain damage and if you have low oxygen to the brain for over five minutes it can result in death."

Why was Archie in a coma?

Archie never regained consciousness after his mother found him at home in early April, and was in a coma for four months, as a result of his injury.

His parents spent weeks fighting a legal battle to keep Archie on life support, in which a specialist told the judge that Archie's brain-stem was significantly damaged, and that there are signs of deterioration since the earlier scans taken in mid-April.

He added that Archie's prognosis was "very grave" and his chances of recovery were "very low".

However, Archie's mother, Ms Dance, said that his stable heartbeat and ability to regulate his temperature and blood pressure was a reason to give him more time. She also wanted to have her son moved to a hospice, so that he could 'spend his last moments' privately with family.

Why was Archie on life support?

Doctors said that Archie was brain-stem dead, and therefore couldn't live without life support. They also said that it was in his best interests for his life support to end.

Archie's parents, Hollie Dance, 46, and Paul Battersbee, 57, from Southend-on-Sea in Essex, fought a legal battle against Barts NHS trust starting in May, in order to keep their son on life support. However, The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel - where Archie was being treated - made the decision to end his care at 2pm on Monday 1 August.

Archie's parents were granted a hearing that same morning after the health secretary asked the courts to "urgently consider" a request from the United Nations to continue his treatment, however the Court of Appeal refused to postpone withdrawal of treatment until the UN can hear the case.

Archie Battersbee court battle - latest update

A High Court ruled that Archie could not be moved to from hospital to a hospice, because it would not be in the 12-year-old's best interests.

Archie's family applied for permission to move him after the after The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) refused an appeal to postpone the withdrawal of his life support. The ECHR said it "would not interfere" with the UK courts' rulings, following the Court of Appeal's decision that Archie's life-sustaining treatment should not continue, and the Supreme Court's rejection of an earlier appeal. 

Lawyers for Barts Health NHS Trust said in a letter "The trust continues to put Archie's welfare and best interests at the forefront of its decision making about his care. It believes that Archie's condition is unstable and that transferring him even a short distance involves significant risk."

On 6 August 2022, Archie Battersbee died in hospital at 12.15 BST after his life support was withdrawn. Speaking outside the hospital where he died, Archie's mother, Hollie Dance, said she was "the proudest mum in the world".

The Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or go to the Samaritans website.

Video of the Week

It's not often that a chip shop goes viral but lots of people are asking what is Binley Mega Chippy after the eatery sparked talk on TikTok.

Viral TikTok trends like the TikTok jean hack, or the safety feature all parents need to know spread over the internet fast and now there's a clip that once you've listened to it, you'll struggle to get it out of your head.

What is Binley Mega Chippy?

Binley Mega Chippy is a fish and chip shop located in a Coventry suburb that sells everything you'd expect from a tradition chippy plus more including Kebabs, chicken, burgers and Pukka pies.

The eatery has a 4.5 star rating on Google and approximately 697 reviews at the time of writing this. And up until this week, only locals had probably heard of it. And that's because it was just a regular fish and chip shop located in the Midlands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqm04NmUi0Y

Why is Binley Mega Chippy trending?

Binley Mega Chippy is trending on TikTok after a song was shared on the social media platform. The fast-food premises appears to have caught the eye of social media users back in April when one user posted a video featuring a compilation of takeaways across the country and it was featured as one of these.

Since then a series of videos and memes have been popping up on users timelines with everyone watching, sharing and even paying the place a visit to see what all the fuss is about.

Among some of the funny memes include posting questions such as what would Winston Churchill have ordered from there - and there's a catchy tribute song that has collected more than 700,000 views.

And TikTok users all over the world are wondering why it's trending.

@skimaskthetwatgod Coventrys new spotlight #fyp #foryoupage #liverpool #viral #lfc #binleymegachippy #coventry #uk ♬ Binley Mega Chippy - Binley mega chippy big fan

One user posted, "I don’t know how this has ended up all over my FYP when I live in Australia"

And the chippy itself is super thankful for all the interest it's sparked. It commented, "Thank you for the support!"

There's no wonder as one chippy local revealed, "I live 3 min from there and it’s so busy."

Meanwhile some users are begging for the song to be made into a sound.

Another added, "New ringtone. thanks."

Good luck with getting that out of your head any time soon!

Related video

If you've ever shopped at Zara, you're probably familiar with the viral sizing hack that claims the symbols on their labels equate to the fit of the clothes—but the truth is pretty disappointing. 

Last year, the TikTok account Officially Outfits claimed that Zara swing tags had a hidden clothing sign that shows how the item fits.

These symbols can be seen on both the buy tag (on top) and the inside label, and it's thought that a circle symbol suggests that the item runs big, a square shows that it runs true to size, and a triangle means that it runs small.

Offically Outfits wrote, "The little box around the tag hole means true to size - get your normal size. The triangle around the tag hole means it comes up small so size up."

TikTok user @cooookiemonster210 confirmed the claims, revealing that a member of the Zara staff told her about the "shopping hack" when she was buying some items.

"The lady working on the register said- anything with a triangle on it means you need to size up as their clothes are fitted based off European sizes," she confessed.

This theory has been endorsed by a number of fashion influencers, and was even featured on Lorraine previously, but is it true?

Sadly, not, according to Zara's headquarters. The varied symbols, according to a representative for the store, represent the various sections of the store where the clothes go, such as the Woman, Basic, or TRF departments.

To be honest, we're a little disappointed that it's not a 'official' hack, but a savvy TikToker has offered an equally amazing tip that allows you to figure out whether or not a pair of jeans will fit you without having to put them on.

A Ryanair customer has shared a brilliant money-saving tip that could help you save up to £50 on luggage costs every time you book a holiday.

Budget airlines are great, but most travellers end up spending more money on everything from snacks to carry-on luggage.

And, with Ryanair offering huge savings on their website, what better way to ring in the summer than with a relaxing beach vacation? Vaccine passports will no longer be required for domestic or international travel in England, so why not bag a trip?

Travellers have praised TikToker Cloda Scanlon (@orangeobviously) after she posted her clever trick for saving a considerable amount of money while planning a holiday.

A 20kg bag isn't always essential for a short trip, but Ryanair doesn't include a complimentary 10kg carry when you book, so you'll have to pay extra for it if you want any sort of carry-on luggage apart from a handbag or rucksack.

According to the Daily Record and the viral TikTok video, Ryanair's initial booking option allows passengers to select their seats and baggage needs. If you wait and choose 'value fare' you will be able to add bags later on.

Cloda explains in the video, "If you want to save between €40 (£33) and €60 (£50) on your next Ryanair flight plus that 10kg bag, then keep listening.

"So I almost paid €192 (£161) for my flights and instead for the exact same flight with the exact same amount of luggage I’m only going to pay €133 (£111).

"So go into the Ryanair app and do your usual - picking your flights, picking your dates. Instead, go back to the booking page and choose the value fare,” which does not include a 10kg bag."

After that, if you click continue, you'll be taken to a new page where you can manually add the 10kg back for just €13 (£10).

Cloda adds, "That’s instead of what was €22 (£18.50) per person per journey, so go with a small bag and the value fare, then go through to the end to the booking page to click your 10kg option."

A TikTok user has gone viral after sharing a shopping tip that allows you to work out if a pair of jeans will fit you without having to put them on.

It's always difficult to find a pair of jeans that fit perfectly. While most of us cling to our best jeans, there's always room for your collection to grow.

Let's face it, in an ideal world, we'd all have endless hours to try on outfits and shop. But trying on multiple pairs of jeans to find the ideal fit can be time consuming.

However, according to a viral TikTok video, there's a "life-saving" way of checking whether jeans will fit you well without even stepping foot in the changing rooms.

In the jeans hack video, the TikToker, who goes by the handle topnotchboutique, can be seen picking a pair of jeans from a rack in a video and saying, "I'm going to show you a jeans hack that's going to be a lifesaver."

She then puts the waistband around her neck and said, "If it fits around your neck, it'll fit," before goig into a fitting room to try them on.

When the savvy shopper returns from behind the curtain, she shows that the jeans do, in fact, fit like a glove, exactly as she'd predicted with the clever neck trick.

@topnotchboutiqueJean hack! My husband thought I was crazy♬ original sound - Top Notch Boutique

The useful hint was met with mixed reactions on the video sharing app. While some had known about the trick for years, having learned it from their mothers and grandmothers, others pointed out that it isn't always reliable.

"Yesss! My mom told me this hack as we were growing up. Totally works! 😊," one user shared.

Another user gushed, "Wait what 😳😳😳 I’m trying this next time I shop 💁🏼 ♀️"

In response to questions in the comments section, the original poster agreed that the results can vary depending on the stretchiness of the material, explaining, "Agreed especially depending on the persons body type and stretch of jeans."

Billions of users across the world were left unable to use Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram for several hours, last night. But why did social media go down? Facebook has explained the reason behind the huge outage.

What happened to Facebook?

Facebook suffered an unexpected outage to its platform last night, which resulted in users being unable to access their profiles, receiving an error message which read, 'This site can't be reached' and details explaining that the Facebook IP address could not be found.

The platforms crashed on Monday afternoon, with users unable to send or receive messages or refresh their news feeds.

In a Facebook post after the service had been restored, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg wrote, 'Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger are coming back online now.

'Sorry for the disruption today - I know how much you rely on our services to stay connected with the people you care about.'

Twitter was quick to poke fun at its return following the outage.

And brands like Levis, also poked fun at a plan b should the systems go down again. It tweeted, 'Okay, here's the plan - if Twitter goes down see you on TikTok in 5'.

But security experts believe an inadvertent mistake or sabotage by an insider was both plausible reasons for the unprecedented outage.

Why did social media go down last night?

Social media platforms Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram went down last night following a 'faulty configuration change', according to chief executive Mark Zuckerberg.

Users across the world, from North and South America, Europe, Australia, Russia, and New Zealand were said to be affected by the outage.

Anyone trying to send WhatsApp messaged to their loved ones had the message sit in the unsent state - with the Clock icon at the side, which means that you haven't sent the message yet instead of the usual tick and double tick for sent and received.

Facebook said, 'To all the people and businesses around the world who depend on us, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused by today's outage across our platforms.

"We've been working as hard as we can to restore access, and our systems are now back up and running.

"The underlying cause of this outage also impacted many of the internal tools and systems we use in our day-to-day operations, complicating our attempts to quickly diagnose and resolve the problem.

"Our engineering teams have learned that configuration changes on the backbone routers that coordinate network traffic between our data centres caused issues that interrupted this communication.

It continued, "This disruption to network traffic had a cascading effect on the way our data centres communicate, bringing our services to a halt.

"Our services are now back online and we're actively working to fully return them to regular operations.

"We want to make clear at this time we believe the root cause of this outage was a faulty configuration change.

"We also have no evidence that user data was compromised as a result of this downtime."

Meanwhile, some users believe the outages were planned, one Twitter user wrote, 'Hands up who thinks the Facebook, Messenger, Instagram & WhatsApp outages were planned?'

Did Facebook lose money?

As a result of the several hour's outages of Facebook, which has nearly two billion daily users, shares in the social media platform, dropped 4.9% lower on Monday, which cost the company $47bn (£34.5bn) off its market value.

And it's another blow to the firm after whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former Facebook product manager, leaked documents to the Wall Street Journal which exposed the company's awareness of harms caused by its products and decisions.

She went public on CBS's 60 Minutes programme on Sunday and is scheduled to testify before a Senate subcommittee on Tuesday.

A viral TikTok hack for creating mini fried eggs for kids has faced backlash, with experts and worried parents warning it could put little ones at risk of food poisoning.

Viral food trends can be a fun way to spice things up in the kitchen, with the TikTok feta pasta recipe blowing the minds of internet users last month and the genius TikTok tortilla wrap hack changing the snack game.

But clever online inventions don't always go down too well.

A viral hack for creating cute mini fried eggs for kids is facing criticism, with many people warning that it could make little ones poorly with food poisoning.

The clip posted earlier this month showed TikTok star Alex Bewicke freezing eggs overnight and then removing the shell the next morning.

The video shows Alex slicing the frozen raw egg into bite-size pieces and frying it for her daughter's breakfast.

@thatfalzonfamilyEVERY PARENT NEEDS TO TRY THIS! 👨 🍳 #minieggs #egghack #toddlermeals @lukefalzon

♬ original sound - Alexandra Bewicke

Explaining the trick, she added, "You put it into the frying pan and it creates really cool mini eggs. My toddler absolutely loves it and I hope your kids do too."

While the video has gained over one million likes and loads of praise from impressed TikTok users, worried viewers have warned that the kitchen trick could be harmful.

One commenter warned, 'THIS IS NOT SAFE HANDLING OF EGGS! DO NOT DO THIS PEOPLE!'

Another worried viewer added, 'Yes the CDC actually says that freezing eggs can introduce other bacteria ( aside from salmonella). If you freeze it, the egg will expand and crack the shell,' adding, 'Bacteria can enter the egg from the crack.'

'I'm sure that's not safe,' a third continued, penning, 'Freezing and putting on direct heat? It's probably doesn't even reach the right temp for safety.'

The experts at British Lions Eggs have also shared advice on freezing eggs on their website, insisting it's not advisable.

'Each egg needs to be cracked out of its shell. The egg white and yolk will expand when frozen so if left intact this could damage or break the shell,' the statement reads.

'Only freeze eggs which are fresh and in date. Frozen eggs in any form need to be fully thawed to be used and can only be eaten in thoroughly cooked dishes. Never cook eggs directly from frozen.'

How to get McDonald's free delivery every time - as diner reveals she's done it wrong from day one.

McDonald's free delivery is available but surprisingly not many people know how to get it without paying any extra on their food bill and are instead forking out at least £3.99 for delivery when ordering the takeaway online.

And one woman who is guilty of this is TikTok user @ch1cccorita who shared the penny-dropping moment she realised the simple trick she needed to follow to score free delivery every time.

And if your still upset at Mcdonald's for axing these five beloved items from the menu you can cheer yourself up with this free delivery hack instead, and join in with a game of McDonald Monopoly. 

In sharing the revelation on the social media platform she shared a video clip and captioned it, 'So no one was going to tell me mcdonald's delivery is free on just eat?' she wrote across the re-shared video. 'I've been paying £3.99 for delivery on ubereats like a d**khead' (sic).

McDonald's can be a low-cost tasty treat but how many of you have also wasted money paying £3.99 for delivery when you could have picked it up yourself for free using the drive-thru - providing you dodge this drive-thru mistake and avoid a huge fine - and bought another burger for the money you'd save.

Well now the annoyed TikTok user has shared how you can use the McDonald's free delivery hack for completely free of charge without leaving the house as we navigate the roadmap out of lockdown - but there's a catch - you have to spend just £5 when ordering via the Just Eat app.

In sharing the original post of a Mcdonald's menu, she then clicked onto the delivery charge information, which ranged from £0 to £3.49. After the information popped up, the TikToker learned that if your order is over £5 you can get it for free, while if your order is under £5 you'll have to pay a £3.49 delivery fee.

And with many tasty options on the menu, it's a no-brainer that by simply ordering an extra side or going large or making a burger into a meal deal, you can easily hit over the £5 minimum spend. But she's not the only one who is mind-blown by this revelation.

The McDonald's free delivery hack, which will only work if your local McDonald's is on Just Eat, has been viewed nearly 840,000 times and has got more than 1300 people talking about it in the comments.

One delighted follower wrote, 'Omg thank you so much', 'Omgg tyyy' another wrote.

And a third pointed out, 'Yes sir, it is so funny I have two McDonalds near me and one is 5 mins away the other is 10mins away - the one 5mins away is charging £3.99 delivery' (sic).

'£3.99 that can buy you the box of nuggets,' another said of the saving.

You can even make use of the discount during McDonald's breakfast serving times to get a tasty McMuffin straight to your door.

Mum shares simple dummy hack is sure to get your child to give up their pacifier for good.

A parent has shared the simple hack she used to get her toddler to willingly get rid of their dummy for good - and it's so simple you'll wonder why you never thought of it before.

TikTok user @chikidsfeeding, who describes herself as a 'feeding specialist' has gone viral on the social media platform after she showed parents how best to get rid of their child's dummy without it being a crying battle.

For any parent, it's difficult to know exactly when the best time to get rid of a child's dummy but this mum has the best stress-free tip for when the time comes.

In the video captioned, 'A simple strategy to stop your baby’s pacifier habit!', which has racked up 4.2 million views, the mum shared her TikTok dummy hack. She took her followers through the simple steps and captioned the reels, 'Having trouble getting rid of that pesky pacifier? Here’s a trick. Take sharp scissors and snip the top.'

She then showed how repeating the method, cutting another chunk of the dummy end off meant that over time you should clip the gummy bit down further and further until only a tiny stub is left. And it appears she's not the only one using the technique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIGs1yZXOF4

The mum explained, 'Baby won’t find it as satisfying when there is a hole in the top. Mums and dad, you can do this,' she added with a warmth of encouragement.

Dummies, which are also known as pacifiers, a binky or soothers, are a device that babies suck on to calm themselves down when crying, restless, or struggling to sleep.

But one of the disadvantages to using the comforter is that some experts argue that dummies delay speech or can cause dental issues later in life.

And with the task of weaning your child off from needing to use a dummy, parents have been praising the TikTok dummy hack as 'such a good idea'. One person who followed the steps admitted, 'It worked for us' and another put, 'It will give heartbreak to my child but I will have to' and a third user confessed, 'My dad cut the whole thing off at once, he didn't even go little by little.'

At what age should a child stop using a dummy?

You can stop using a dummy at any time. However, you should aim to stop using a dummy by 12 months. If you stop using dummies with your baby at three months, their memory of relying on this as a soothing mechanism will fade relatively quickly. However, it may become more difficult to wean your baby off a dummy between six months and a year because your child could become more reliant on it

How to get rid of a dummy for a 2-year-old:

If you're too scared to give the TikTok dummy hack a go then you could try these steps below which will also show you how can I get my child to get rid of their dummy:

1. Set a date. Pick a quiet weekend when it doesn’t matter if you have a few broken night’s sleep. Make sure the time is right for your child too; don’t think about taking the dummy away if they’re going through a difficult time. This includes if you’ve just had a baby, moved house, or your child’s been recently ill. These are not good times to take away your child’s comforter.
2. Replace it. If they’re worried about going to bed without the dummy, give them something to cheer them up. A special teddy to cuddle or a new duvet cover can make bedtime more attractive.
3. Praise them. Focus on the time your child does sleep through without a dummy and give them lots of praise. This should build their confidence and also help you stay in a positive frame of mind.
4. Try not to back down. If your child manages one night dummy-free they can manage the next, and so on. Do not give in if they suddenly decide they want the dummy back. This will help maintain confidence for you and the child.

Popular streaming platform TikTok has gone from strength to strength throughout lockdown, as more people turn to it as their source of entertainment.

However with so many videos being uploaded every day, the exact nature of what children are viewing might have been a source of concern for parents. 

Now the streaming platform has sought to remedy this. TikTok has introduced new safety features on the app that allow parents to monitor their children’s accounts. 

What do the new TikTok safety features do?

Parents will now be able to set their teenager’s TikTok account to private. This can be done through the app’s Family Pairing feature. This allows parents and guardians to link their own accounts to that of their children. 

The new feature is part of a wider package of updates to Family Pairing. Other new features include the ability for parents to turn off comments on videos entirely, or else enable comments for friends only.

Parents can also turn off the search function for content, users, hashtags or sounds. They can also now limit who can see the videos their children have liked.

How long has TikTok had its Family Pairing feature?

These new updates add another layer of parental control and safety to the TikTok experience. However, the Family Pairing feature in fact first launched earlier this year. 

The feature also allows parents to manage exactly how long their teenagers spend a day using the app via the Screen Time Management settings. They can also restrict their child’s For You page to content that is appropriate for all ages via Restricted Mode. 

Head of Child Safety Public Policy, Europe, Alexandra Evans has reportedly voiced her support for the feature. She stated: Family Pairing provides teenagers with a guardrail as they discover TikTok.”

Speaking of the new additions to the app, she said: “The updates we are making today are the latest in a series of steps we have taken to give families the tools they need to create the TikTok experience that's right for them."

"We know that when people feel safe, they feel free to express their creativity," Evans said. "That's why safety is at the heart of everything we do." 

According to the Evening Standard, this sentiment was shared by Carolyn Bunting, chief executive of Internet Matters. 

She spoke of how important it is for parents to be informed. “Children with parents who are engaged with what they’re doing online are safer online,” she said.

Carolyn later praised TikTok’s updates, stating: “It’s clear that social media companies need to do more to ensure their platforms are safe spaces for young people". She went on to say: "we welcome the new safety features that TikTok is adding.” 

The new features from TikTok are the latest in a series of steps the app has taken this year to help keep their younger users safe. Other additions include restricting direct messaging to users over 16 and prompting all users under 18 to set their account to private when joining. 

Most people who are parents to teenagers will likely be aware of TikTok.

The video sharing social media app, known for its popularity among Generation Z, became a household name during the coronavirus lockdown, with a host of celebrities jumping on the TikTok bandwagon.

But there’s more to TikTok than quirky challenges and dance routines – and if your teen is one of the many obsessed with the app, there’s some rather sketchy sides of the site you should be aware of. You might have heard of the controversial character and frankly misogynistic Andrew Tate, but here's another worrying trend you should know about.

Loose Women’s Nadia Sawalha left her co-stars shocked last week when she revealed that she encountered videos on sex tips and starvation diets when she took a quick scroll through TikTok, and the sad story of Archie Battersbee is the product of TikTok trend gone wrong.

Now, a new trend called Randonauting is taking the app by storm – and it could put young users in danger if they decide to try it out.

What is Randonauting?

Randonautica is an app that uses your location to take you on an adventure. Users can “manifest” the type of experience they want to encounter before being given a set of randomised coordinates to travel to. Many users report experiencing creepy or supernatural goings-on when they go Randonauting and TikTok is jam packed with spooky videos of people making some spine-chilling discoveries.

One of the most notable uploads shows a group of teenagers being lead to a deserted corner of a Seattle beach.

In the clip, posted by TikTok user @ughhenry, they can be seen discovering a black suitcase, before opening it to find it filled with plastic bags and a foul smell.

The viral video later reveals that after the teens called the police, they discovered that the washed up suitcase contained human remains.

READ MORE: Mum issues warning after son is hospitalised following TikTok ‘skull-breaker’ prank

Seattle police later confirmed that the group of youngsters had uncovered parts of a body and that the group had been interviewed.

A Seattle Police Department statement read, “Police responded after receiving a call of a suspicious bag on the beach.

“Another bag was located in the water. Once the contents were determined to be remains, detectives responded to begin their investigation.”

Other videos show teenagers making eerie and “unexplainable” finds while going off alone to explore derelict areas and woodland, sometimes in the black of night. Some TikTok-ers even admitted to not letting anyone know where they were going before heading off to the random locations.

One young girl reported being followed home by a stranger’s truck while another pair of users claimed to have been chased by a group of men in a boat when they were lead to a deserted beach.

One more girl left viewers horrified when she filmed herself in floods of tears, alleging that the Randonautica app had lead her to somebody who had been shot on the side of the road.

In a statement, Randonautica has insisted that the frightening discoveries made by those using the app are coincidental, in light of the fact that the locations provided are selected at random and that the app “has no way of intercepting or providing specific locations”.

“The coordinates are random so it is the user's responsibility to adventure safely!”

TikTok has been contacted for comment.