Finally! #trashtag is a viral internet challenge that we can totally get behind
Photo: u/Dayumson112 via Reddit
When you think about the phrase "internet challenge," the first things that come to mind are probably those scary, dangerous challenges involving TidePods, blindfolds and mouthfuls of cinnamon. Well, Twitter finally came up with a challenge that doesn't involve risky behaviour and can actually create some good in the world: the #trashtag challenge.
According to VT, the wholesome challenge was started by Facebook user Byron Román, who uploaded a (now-deleted) post showing two photos of himself in a park before and after he cleaned up all the trash in the vicinity. In his caption, he wrote: "Here is a new #challenge for all you bored teens. Take a photo of an area that needs some cleaning or maintenance, then take a photo after you have done something about it, and post it."
Since his posting, the people of Twitter have caught on to the challenge, using #trashtag to share their good deeds. Check out some of the recent posts:
Now, the movement to pick up litter isn't really a new one—in fact, the original #trashtag hashtag was actually created for a 2015 contest with a similar call to action—but it's so refreshing to see social media motivating people to actually go out there and do something to help the environment, rather than encouraging people to throw cheese at their babies' faces. They may be doing it partially for internet "likes," but hey, the result is the same, right? Cleaner public areas!
So if your kids are bored and looking for something to do this weekend, why not get the whole family involved? Go to your local park and spend the day beautifying the space by picking up all the trash. Just make sure everyone wears gloves and tell kids to look out for any broken glass or other sharp objects—it's probably best they call an adult over to handle those. And don't forget the before-and-after shots! Send them to editors@todaysparent.com with the subject line "Trash Challenge" and we'll feature them on our Instagram account.
Happy #trashtag-ing!