Update June 16, 2016: Sharpie has responded to our request for a comment regarding the issue, saying "Sharpie is aware of this online challenge and we do not condone these actions. We believe that this phenomenon is not unique to Sharpie ink. Strong pulses of light, such as those produced by camera flashes, can transfer heat energy to surfaces including skin. Darkening the skin or other surfaces with inks, paints, and cosmetics can intensify the effect. Sharpie provides consumers with products for creative expression and these markers are not intended for writing on human skin."
The #SharpieShockChallenge: the latest internet fad to take Twitter by storm (You and I are going to make this a thing).
The premise of the Sharpie Shock Challenge is simple. Take any black permanent marker and draw a black box on your arm (or any other vulnerable body parts if that’s your thing) and worry about toxins while you take a picture with your flash on. Press the camera on your smartphone against the ink before snapping the pic.
Tada, you will feel a slight warming sensation that doesn’t quite qualify as a pinch, but enough to make a Snopes writer go back and question their judgement. Does it work? Yes. The black ink absorbs light much like the secret paint that the U.S. Air Force uses on its B-2 Stealth Bomber (it has iron flecks in it. Does sharpie ink have iron flecks? Nobody knows, because Sharpie hasn’t responded to our request for a comment).
Science! Now here is a page’s worth of young children hurting themselves on camera:
What the sharpie shock challenge looks like. What it feels like _⚡️_ pic.twitter.com/WIbAPM6g74
— Ivona Lakic (@ivonalakic) May 22, 2016
i just tried the sharpie shock challenge on my brother and now he's mad bc i promised him it wouldn't hurt
— sofia (@sofialicir) May 14, 2016
#sharpieshockchallenge _ pic.twitter.com/PQ5JzBZVtf
— destinythais (@_dessstiinyyy) May 13, 2016
One day at cch when we figure out the black sharpie shock challenge pic.twitter.com/KPBtX4zpsR
— Eric Curk (@ericcurk) May 14, 2016
Just did the #sharpieshockchallenge and that hurt like bitch, but i tried it on my leg so__
— Jenni Garcia (@JenniGarcia39) May 12, 2016
Lmao my class did the sharpie shock challenge on my teacher__ pic.twitter.com/tJeabqRl3o
— Nicole Roth (@snicoleroth61) May 12, 2016
i did the sharpie shock challenge bc my friends said it tickles...i have shitty friends
— carolina // (@formaldolan) May 11, 2016
#sharpieshockchallenge __ pic.twitter.com/BtqWlJ3Hdk
— алісса ¨̮ (@alyssa_bye_) May 11, 2016
#sharpieshockchallenge has my camera roll like... pic.twitter.com/wIoxoVXfl6
— dailynn (@danayye) May 6, 2016
ALSO #sharpieshockchallenge pic.twitter.com/xjDwZE62Jh
— ️ (@aurtsy) May 8, 2016
The sharpie shock challenge works. If it doesn't work on you, you're simply doing it wrong. It's literally science_
— meg (@MegIsATurtle) May 6, 2016
Warning: Don't try the sharpie shock challenge. #ItWorks #Ouch
— Jenna Lee (@jenna_kay_lee) May 1, 2016
The sharpie shock challenge hurts like a mofo but 8/10 for funny video footage
— Lexi Gendron (@lexi_gendron) April 30, 2016
camera roll bc of the sharpie shock challenge omfg pic.twitter.com/R3HRSl0waC
— ashleigh (@cutestcurl) April 29, 2016
What my camera roll consists of because I do the sharpie shock challenge on everyone. pic.twitter.com/4AdKrJIb5u
— Wonney (@wonneyyy) April 29, 2016
basically my whole camera roll because of the sharpie shock challenge pic.twitter.com/m2XmZ6NbKf
— ashleigh gilligan (@ashgilliganxxx) April 26, 2016
When everyone uses your phone to do the Sharpie Shock Challenge. _ I have too many of these on my phone. pic.twitter.com/i9wf5JphIK
— Hayden Jenkins (@HaydeeJ_) April 22, 2016
Dude the sharpie shock challenge hurts like hell
— Myla :) ||69 days (@AyeitsMyla) April 21, 2016
This be my camera role after I found out about the sharpie shock challenge___ pic.twitter.com/MZI5zNhIDP
— Monica Shafik (@monishafikk) April 21, 2016
I JUST DID THE SHARPIE SHOCK CHALLENGE AND IT BURNS NOW THERES A BUMP WHERE I DID IT WTF pic.twitter.com/D8gaFbNg6k
— aaliyah (@camodjh) April 18, 2016
When ur phone is being used for the sharpie shock challenge _@paytonduncanson @annalise_camelo pic.twitter.com/WGtTNS1nDH
— Emily Dougherty (@emdougherty_) April 14, 2016
