Aftermath of shocking TikTok trend exposed.
Seven-year-old Scarlett Selby is recovering from life-altering injuries after a viral social media trend went horribly wrong.
Shocking TikTok trend explained.
The Missouri second-grader was hospitalized and placed into an induced coma following a fiery accident involving a frozen NeeDoh cube and a microwave.
Scarlett had seen others online microwaving the popular stress toy to “soften it up.” She decided to copy them, unknowingly stepping into a nightmare.
After freezing the toy overnight, Scarlett microwaved it for a few seconds—then tried to grab it. That’s when it exploded, unleashing molten goo on her skin.
Her father, Josh Selby, 44, described hearing a “blood-curdling scream” as he rushed to her side, finding her skin covered in thick, searing-hot gel.
Josh immediately tore off her clothing, realizing the goo had glued itself to her shirt and skin. Scarlett was burning, and time was ticking.
At the hospital, doctors placed Scarlett into an induced coma, terrified that the burns inside and around her mouth might cause her airways to close.
Josh recalled the emotional toll: “I don’t think I could talk to anyone without crying. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through.”
Amanda Blankenship, Scarlett’s mother, said the ride to the hospital was agonizing: “She was screaming the whole time. It was unbearable.”
Origins of trend detailed.
The NeeDoh cube, made by Schylling Toys, has gained popularity on platforms like TikTok and YouTube for its bright color and squishy texture.
Some users claim that microwaving the toy makes it stretchier or ‘more fun.’ But the results are anything but playful when real heat is involved.
These stress toys are filled with a gel-like substance that reacts violently to extreme temperatures—especially when frozen first, then microwaved.
Despite platform rules, kids like Scarlett are still seeing—and mimicking—dangerous content that slips through content moderation cracks.
Schylling Toys’ website explicitly warns: “Do NOT heat, freeze, or microwave. May cause personal injury.” But kids following online trends rarely read the fine print.
Josh Selby has since become an accidental advocate, urging other parents to get rid of these toys entirely. “It’s like exploding hot glue,” he said.
Scarlett had received the NeeDoh as a gift earlier in 2024. It was meant to be a fun fidget toy—an answer to boredom. Instead, it turned into a weapon.
In mid-2024, videos showing users microwaving frozen NeeDohs started popping up, typically with captions like “satisfying squish” or “TikTok hack.”
Both TikTok and YouTube claim to ban dangerous content. But Scarlett’s mom says: “This trend was still easy to find. She watched it. Then she did it.”
Aftermath of incident unveiled.
Doctors kept Scarlett on a feeding tube for the week she stayed in the hospital. Her lips were so badly burned, she couldn’t eat or talk.
She narrowly avoided skin graft surgery, but doctors warned her parents the burns could leave lasting scars on her face, chest, and mouth.
For three days, Scarlett remained unconscious. Her parents didn’t know if she’d wake up—let alone speak or eat normally again.
A spokesperson for TikTok told Kennedy News the platform bans content that promotes harm. They say safety teams use tech to catch trends early.
YouTube said it’s a 13+ platform and content showing minors doing dangerous things is strictly banned. But it didn’t stop Scarlett from seeing it.
Josh said the toy’s explosive insides were like glue. “Once it touches you, there’s no way to get it off. It shouldn’t be frozen or heated—ever.”
Amanda said she wishes she’d known the risk. “I want other parents to learn from this. Don’t assume a toy is safe just because it looks fun.”
Parents warned about the risk of toys.
The story of Scarlett Selby is a chilling reminder that TikTok trends don’t stay online. Sometimes, they end in fire, trauma, and tears.
Though she’s still healing, Scarlett is back home. The scars remain—and so does the fear. Her parents say her spirit is strong, but her innocence was stolen.
Despite the warnings, NeeDoh toys remain widely available. The Selby family believes they should be pulled from stores immediately.
Amanda added: “She’s only seven. When she sees something cool or trendy, she thinks it’s okay. That’s what kids do.”
Tyla reached out to Schylling Toys for comment. As of now, they’ve issued no public statement beyond the small online warning label.
What started as a fun toy trend has turned into a cautionary tale—shared thousands of times as parents warn others not to make the same mistake.
Scarlett Selby’s story could’ve ended in tragedy. Her parents want everyone to remember: likes and clicks aren’t worth risking a child’s life.