In Finland, there has been a troubling rise in cases of paracetamol overdoses among children and teenagers this year, leading to hospitalizations and, in severe instances, intensive care treatment. The phenomenon appears to be connected to a social media challenge, which Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) has issued warnings about. Participants in this challenge are reportedly taking large amounts of paracetamol or other medications at once, resulting in potentially life-threatening consequences.

Fimea has been actively monitoring this issue and released a public notice to inform parents and guardians about the risks associated with these dangerous online challenges. Furthermore, the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL) has also received reports via their "Dangerous Social Media Challenges" website and dispatched warning messages to users of the site regarding the misuse of paracetamol and other medications in connection to these challenges.

While the full scope of the social media challenge remains unclear, several cases have been confirmed by Kuopio University Hospital, indicating that awareness of this dangerous trend is crucial. The challenge emphasizes the need for increased vigilance among parents, guardians, and the community to prevent further incidents and protect the health of young people in Finland.