Just a couple of weeks ago, the USC Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge spread rapidly throughout social media platforms and right here at Loomis Chaffee.
As you may be aware, the USC ice bucket challenge was a challenge started by the University of Southern California, where those nominated would dump an ice bucket on themselves, and then nominate three more friends. The challenge was created with the goal of raising awareness about mental health.
The challenge was undeniably fun and exciting, leading to the exponential growth of the social media trend.
“I had a lot of fun filming the challenge with my friends, because I thought it was bringing together my community, and it was a way for me to be included in something larger than myself,” said Simone Magdo-Krieger ’28.
As she said, many here on the island joined the challenge for the fun and engaging nature of the ice bucket trend. However, with the increasing popularity of this challenge came difficulties in spreading its true message.
“I knew the challenge was related to mental health, but I don’t think we were really focused on that part of the challenge,” added Simone Magdo-Kreiger ‘28.
While this challenge no doubt was successful in becoming a nationwide trend, the true goal of this social media sensation became lost within the process of becoming viral.
“Interesting enough, I think I heard a lot from the kids who were nominating and getting set up to do it, but not so much about the why,” said Jessica Matzkin, Dean of Student Life and Wellness.
She also later added that it was very fun seeing students at Loomis being engaged in the challenge, but it could have done something more in terms of raising awareness for mental health.
The popularity of this challenge also elicited concern for those who were not nominated. As the challenge spread throughout the whole school, those who did not participate may have felt left out, harming the mental health of these students, an outcome counterintuitive to the challenge’s goal.
When those who did not participate in the ice bucket challenge were asked, they often said that they themselves chose not to participate.
“I didn’t feel sad or negatively in any way about not joining the challenge, as I made the choice to choose not to do it,” explained Cookie Danchaivijitr ’26.
As she stated, many of those who did not join in on the challenge did so by choice.
Many were also nominated, and students have also encouraged their peers to nominate them if they wanted. This kept the challenge open and inclusive within our community.
Still, there is a larger problem regarding this social media challenge. While this challenge has spread its global influence on many, its true purpose of awareness for mental health has been overshadowed by the excitement regarding the activity that the trend centers.
To create a true and lasting change, it’s important for us to remember the true, deeper meaning behind social media challenges such as these, because otherwise, they prove to be fruitless efforts.
