The ‘Glass Fruit’ Trend: Why Is It Alarming For Parents?

Did you hear of the latest viral craze that has parents everywhere raising an eyebrow—and perhaps holding their breath? Of course, it’s not just another boring dance challenge or a shocking makeup hack trend. The ‘Glass Fruit’ trend is something shinier and somewhat dangerous. The term ‘glass fruit’ might appear elegant, yet it's beyond just kids starting a new hobby of collecting fragile fruit-shaped ornaments.

The question now is—what does this trend actually mean and why is it such a hot topic among the concerned parents?

Read this article to find out more.

The ‘Glass Fruit’ trend involves young people—especially teens—who post pictures and videos of themselves posing with fruits that have been coated with layers of melted sugar to create a shiny, glass-like effect. What’s more? The end result seems straight out of an art gallery. However, this trend that appears ‘not so dangerous’ is not as innocent as you think.

Many kids involved in this trend tried to take a bite into these sugercoated candied fruits in their TikTok and Instagram videos. But the problem is—the hardened sugar can be potentially sharp and, when combined with soft fruits, can be seriously harmful.

This trend is definitely not about the sweet tooth. But here are a few reasons why parents are alarmed by this trend.

While the cracking sound may appear'satisfying' ‘to’ ASMR, it’s definitely not the same as a caramel custard. The sugar-hardening process creates a brittle shell that can cause cuts and broken teeth. And worse—choking hazards.

In fact, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), almost 12,000 children under 14 are treated annually for dental injuries related to accidents, many involving hard foods or objects.

So, possibly, the glass fruit trend might turn out to be a dental disaster waiting to happen.

Did you know that according to the CDC, choking is a leading cause of injury-related death in children, with foods accounting for more than 50% of choking incidents in kids under 5?

In this trend, the brittle shards that break off when kids bite into these fruits can easily get lodged in the throat.

Trends like the Tide Pod Challenge and the cinnamon challenge, just like the glass fruit trend on social media, shock value. With this trend, it could be questioned about the sacrity of the content. In short, it’s not about biting into the sugar-coated fruit; it's about exposing your life to danger for the sake of likes and comments. This is how peer pressure plays a big role in teen decision-making.

So if your teen loves the good food trend, start exploring some safer alternatives. After all, the internet is full of healthier and less risky food experiments. You could even challenge them to create their own "safer" trend. While we don’t suggest you keep an eye on your child every moment, it’s best to talk to your children about what is trending and what they find funny.

If your child has already tried this trend, do not hesitate to reach out to the doctor, as small cuts may turn into bigger problems.

Though the glass fruit trend is like any other passing social media trend, it is important to understand the potential impact of such social media challenges on kids. No doubt, nowadays, views, likes, and shares are the new currency. The truth is, these trends just take off too quickly—even before parents have the time to catch up. With little patience and proper communication, you can help your child pass through such harmful challenges safely.