On the Radar: Moldy Lunchly, Crashing Out and Tren

YouTubers Are Finding Mold in MrBeast’s Lunchly Products

What? MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, is best known for his popular YouTube channel. However, his latest product, Lunchly—touted as a healthier alternative to Kraft Heinz’s Lunchables—stirred up controversy after a fellow YouTuber found mold in the cheese.

So What? What started out as an online argument between rival YouTubers has now become something of a meme. Commentators online are treating moldy Lunchly products like a “rare Pokémon card” or one of Wonka’s golden tickets, says Forbes.

Now What? Truth be told, children are the target of Lunchly marketing. But parents still have ultimate control here, and certainly not every Lunchly product contains mold. So, when possible, examine your child’s lunch to be sure they aren’t consuming potentially harmful substances. And it might be worth pondering whether you want your kids’ lunches to come from a YouTube influencer, too.

Teens Are “Crashing Out” in Anger

What? “Crashing out,” as Gen Z and Gen Alpha use the phrase, means “to go insane and/or do something stupid,” according to Urban Dictionary. And more extreme crashers may wind up doing something that either puts them in danger or gets them arrested.

So What? The phrase has picked up in popularity on social media in response to election news. And while teens may find those videos entertaining, more extreme “crash outs” involve the one who’s crashing getting arrested or even putting their life in harm’s way.

Now What? Scientists know that teens’ brains develop gradually, and that’s true in the area of thinking about what the consequences of their actions may be. But when viral videos seemingly glorify reckless behavior, parents should pay attention, talking plainly with adolescents about the consequences for harmful or potentially illegal behavior.

Tren, the Illegal Steroid Trending on TikTok

What? Trenbolone, or “Tren,” is a synthetic anabolic steroid used for muscle growth in livestock, according to the National Library of Medicine. And it’s illegal for human use.

So What? Despite that legal status and considerable health risks, Tren is trending on TikTok, especially among teen boys. Fitfluencers are touting the drug as the “god of all steroids,” says Men’s Health. Some, such as the “Tren Twins,” have made the illegal substance part of their online identities. (Though it’s unclear if they actually use the drug or are simply using its popularity to boost their social media engagement.)

Now What? If your son is striving to achieve a certain physique, it’s likely he’s searched for these sorts of influencers on social media—the sort who are encouraging their followers to take this dangerous and illegal drug in the “30-day Tren Challenge.” It’s not your child’s fault. More likely than not, he was just looking for advice about diet and exercise regimes. And while not all “fitfluencers” are bad, many clearly do not have your teen’s best interest at heart.

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