Yahoo Movies Netflix calls for an end to the dangerous 'Bird Box Challenge' viral trend
Netflix has called for an end to the online viral trend the ‘Bird Box Challenge’, spawned by its recent horror movie release.
The movie finds Sandra Bullock playing a lone mother in a post-apocalyptic world, who is leading her children, called only ‘Boy and Girl’, on a blindfolded journey to safety from dark forces.
But in the real world, people are taking on all manner of tasks while blindfolded, and posting the potentially perilous videos online.
Me after watching #BirdBoxChallenge pic.twitter.com/IKJu4iOmtO
— Diana Montoni (@Drose1028) January 1, 2019
Jesus take the wheel #BirdBoxChallenge pic.twitter.com/AddRNfOfUN
— Shut up or square up (@RealFakeShanti) December 31, 2018
Entering 2019 like: #BirdboxChallenge pic.twitter.com/3TAzm6wm1p
— anahi (@anahi_s23) January 1, 2019
#BirdBoxChallenge #BirdBoxMemes #BirbBox pic.twitter.com/Ta09SoiFY1
— Lost Tribes Tattoo (@losttribes1016) January 2, 2019
The streaming service has now called for a bit of calm.
“Can’t believe I have to say this, but: PLEASE DO NOT HURT YOURSELVES WITH THIS BIRD BOX CHALLENGE,” it said in a tweet.
“We don’t know how this started, and we appreciate the love, but Boy and Girl have just one wish for 2019 and it is that you not end up in the hospital due to memes.”
Can’t believe I have to say this, but: PLEASE DO NOT HURT YOURSELVES WITH THIS BIRD BOX CHALLENGE. We don’t know how this started, and we appreciate the love, but Boy and Girl have just one wish for 2019 and it is that you not end up in the hospital due to memes.
— Netflix US (@netflix) January 2, 2019
The movie has been viewed a record 45 million times, Netflix announced this week.
However, some media commentators have been sceptical about the figures, which are not independently verified.
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