#Trending: Here's Why I Don't Agree With The NekNominate Trend

Posted by Christina | Tuesday February 11, 2014

Remember planking? Or horsemaning? Well, the newest trend making its way around the world wide web is a binge drinking game called #NekNominate. #NekNominate is described as “the drinking game for social media.” Basically, participants are encouraged to film themselves chugging alcohol in a creative way and then nominate two friends to out-do them. Only this isn't some sort of chugging contest in a frat house, it's downing shots, pints or a combination in as little time as possible, sometimes in crazy situations. While I don't have an issue with drinking and alcohol, this internet trend has been taken to life threatening extremes. For example, a man in Dublin stood on the top of a moving car while “neking” a pint. That’s a bit much, IMHO.

This trend has become so out of hand that two young men from Ireland Ross Cummins, 22, and Jonny Byrne, 19, are said to have died after participating in this drinking game. The tragic ending to two young lives due to a drinking game is really sad. As a young person who witnesses binge drinking and many drinking games like this, it’s scary to see what could happen when drinking gets out of hand.

Aside from the danger aspect, I resent the fact that this pointless game has gone viral when there are so many other issues and news stories that deserve way more attention. Brent Lindeque felt the same way.

He was a nominee for #NekNominate from South Africa who decided to put a positive spin on his video. The South African filmed himself giving a homeless man lunch and nominated two of his friends to perform a random act of kindness within 24hours. The pay it forward-esque video has spread from South Africa to England, Dubai and many other major countries around the world. I knew there was still some good left in this world!

Check out his super inspiring video below.

Is this game harmless? At first sure, it’s easy to see how people can be peer-pressured into wanting to participate in a game like this. But it can also lead to bullying, alcohol poisoning and now death. Personally, I like the South African version of it, and who doesn’t love performing a random act of kindness every once and a while.

Have you participated in the #NekNominate trend? Do you think it’s careless or harmless?

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7 Comments

	on August 11, 2014 henam 3,270 said: like some of the other comments, why? what's the appeal?
	on February 17, 2014 Steffikah 9,295 said: It's careless. I never understood the point of these kinds of things... Just why?? How is that even fun? I can understand social drinking and whatnot but binge drinking to get yourself plastered has always puzzled me. Do people actually enjoy that awful hung over feeling?
	on February 15, 2014 imfeehily 8,865 said: Why?!
	on February 14, 2014 Charmheart16 3,985 said: This is just ridiculous. It's great to see that Brent Lindeque turned a negative into a positive though. These acts of kindness are the ones that need to go viral instead of a dangerous drinking game.
	on February 14, 2014 KatelynRose1984 20,704 said: Personally, I think it's ridiculous.
	on February 11, 2014 LittleMonroe1 4,057 said: I personally wouldnt do it, I dont understand why its so viral. But as long as the persons nomination doesnt effect or harm anyone else, you can do what you want with your body i guess. Why dont people do something good with social media. That South African nomination is a god start.
	on February 11, 2014 takoda 28,648 said: I haven't done this and won't do it. I don't get what's so fun about it either.