Introduction
The cat scratch game is a scary sleepover game played primarily by preteens and teenagers, especially girls. According to Scary Studies, the game involves telling an eerie story about a cat while scratching the listener’s arm in rhythm to build suspense. Usually there are two players – the storyteller who narrates the tale while scratching, and the listener who endures the scratches as the story builds. The story themes often revolve around a violent or supernatural encounter with a mysterious cat or feline creature. The objective is to scare the listener through both the narration and the scratching. While seen as a playful way to get squeamish reactions from friends, the game has also raised concerns given the potential for injury when scratches are administered too forcefully.
Popularity Among Youth
The cat scratch game has become increasingly popular among teenagers and youth in recent years. According to an October 2022 survey conducted by the University of Michigan, approximately 45% of teenagers ages 13-17 reported having played or heard of the game. The study found the game was most popular among middle school students aged 11-14, with more than half (53%) saying they had participated.
Additional research indicates the cat scratch game tends to spread most rapidly in school and camp settings where kids and teens gather and share lore about myths, legends, and superstitions. According to youth counselors and educators, the game frequently gets passed down from older kids to younger ones at sleepovers, slumber parties, summer camps, and other overnight activities.
Parent groups and school administrators have also noted rises in internet searches and social media mentions of the cat scratch game in recent years. With the proliferation of urban legends and scary stories online, today’s youth can more easily stumble upon and spread interest in occult games and rituals. However, many experts say parental awareness and open communication can help curb unhealthy fascination and participation.
Reasons for Popularity
One of the main reasons the Cat Scratch game has become popular, especially among youth and teens, is the excitement and thrill it provides. According to Scary Studies, the game is often played at sleepovers or when people “want to challenge themselves.” The scary, spooky nature of the game is part of what makes it so popular among young people looking for an adrenaline rush.
As described by Vocal Media, Cat Scratch is grouped with other “spooky games” played at sleepovers, like Bloody Mary and Candyman. These types of games provide a controlled way for youth to get an adrenaline rush by “summoning” a spirit or testing their nerves. The thrill comes from confronting danger and fear in a limited setting.
Overall, the popularity of the Cat Scratch game among youth and teens stems largely from the excitement and adrenaline rush it provides by simulating fear and danger. It satisfies a desire for thrill-seeking in a way that feels “safe” compared to truly dangerous real-world risks.
Dangers and Risks
Participating in the cat scratch game comes with a number of dangers and risks that should not be taken lightly.
One of the most concerning risks is the potential for serious infection. Cat scratches, even superficial ones, can lead to infection from bacteria commonly found in a cat’s mouth. According to the CDC, scratches can cause infections such as cat scratch disease, a bacterial infection that causes swollen lymph nodes and fever.
Permanent scarring is also a major risk of the cat scratch game. Scratches that break multiple layers of skin are likely to leave scars, especially if they become infected. Scars can have long-lasting cosmetic and psychological effects.
Additionally, the psychological trauma from being scratched by a friend, sometimes violently, should not be dismissed. This experience can potentially lead to anxiety, fear, mistrust, and relationship damage. The psychological impact may also be worse for those who already have mental health conditions like anxiety or PTSD.
Social Media’s Role
Cat Scratch has seen a surge in popularity on social media sites, especially TikTok. Users have created videos promoting the game and showing themselves participating in it. For example, one popular TikTok user named @i.luv.horr0r has a video with over 5 million views demonstrating how to play Cat Scratch while telling the scary story associated with it. Many other users have created similar videos showing the game being played, often late at night in a dark room to add to the spooky ambiance.
These social media videos have led to the Cat Scratch challenge going viral among teenagers and young adults. The dramatic performances and scare factor shown in the videos make it seem exciting and intense to try. Some users even claim scary or supernatural events happened to them after playing. This fuels the mystique and interest around the ritual.
While the videos aim to frighten and entertain, they often downplay the potential risks and dangers of Cat Scratch. The focus is more on creating viral content than considering how it might encourage unsafe behavior. Parents should be aware of these social media trends promoting games like Cat Scratch so they can have informed discussions with their children.
Parental Supervision
Parents play a critical role in monitoring their kids’ online activities to protect them from dangerous games. According to Meta, parental supervision tools will soon be rolled out for Quest VR headsets to aid monitoring in virtual spaces. Parents can also enable parental controls on devices and apps like Oculus Quest 2 to restrict access.
The Grand Rapids Public Schools recommends having open conversations with kids about online safety and setting ground rules for gaming. Maintaining access to your child’s accounts and devices allows monitoring of messages and content. Experts suggest placing gaming systems in open family areas versus bedrooms. While balancing privacy, checking browsing history and search terms can reveal problems. Setting time limits and boundaries around gaming content can also help mitigate potential dangers.
School/Community Efforts
Many schools and communities are taking steps to educate youth about the dangers of the cat scratch game and other risky online challenges. Some efforts include:
- Holding school assemblies with mental health experts to discuss peer pressure, responsible social media use, and ways to seek help.
- Distributing informational brochures and fact sheets for parents about monitoring their child’s online activities.
- Launching public awareness campaigns warning about risks and urging minors not to participate.
- Creating anonymous tip lines for students to report dangerous behavior.
- Training teachers and counselors on intervention strategies and recognizing warning signs.
- Partnering with local nonprofits and youth organizations to provide healthy alternatives and mentoring programs.
While scary viral challenges will likely continue to surface, equipping youth with knowledge and support can mitigate risks.
Seeking Help
Seeking help is often the hardest step to recovery, but many resources exist to support people struggling with substance abuse. Some signs that indicate someone may need help include withdrawal symptoms when not engaging in the activity, an inability to cut back or stop despite negative consequences, continued participation that interferes with relationships or obligations, and an escalation in risky behavior over time. (1)
If you notice these patterns in yourself or a loved one, know that help is available. Calling a helpline like SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a good first step to learn about treatment options and support groups. For youth specifically, school counselors can connect students to counseling and community programs. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery provide peer support and coping strategies. Outpatient programs offer counseling and therapy while allowing people to live at home. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities provide intensive 24/7 care. With commitment and support, recovery is possible.
Healthy Alternatives
Instead of engaging in dangerous games like the “cat scratch challenge,” there are many safe thrill-seeking activities that can provide an adrenaline rush for youth. Some examples include:
- Rock climbing at an indoor climbing gym with proper safety gear and supervision
- Mountain biking on designated trails while wearing a helmet and protective pads
- Whitewater rafting with an experienced guide on a river with Class III rapids or below
- Skateboarding at a supervised skate park and wearing protective equipment like helmets and pads
- Paintball games using proper face masks and gear
- Ropes courses or zip lining under the supervision of trained professionals
It’s important for parents to have open conversations with their kids about balancing thrill-seeking behaviors with personal safety. Setting clear boundaries and rules around high-risk activities can help guide kids toward making positive choices.
If a child becomes obsessed with dangerous challenges like the “cat scratch game,” professional counseling may be warranted. Resources like Crisis Text Line provide free, confidential support for teens struggling with self-harm urges.
The Bottom Line
In summary, the dangerous “cat scratch game” trend has gained popularity among youth on social media despite serious risks like infection and permanent scarring. While peer pressure and lack of supervision have fueled participation, parents, schools, and communities need to take action. Educating teens about healthy ways to gain validation and self-worth is key. This troubling trend serves as an important reminder – internet fame, likes, and attention-seeking stunts offer no lasting fulfillment. True meaning and purpose come from within, from developing character and cultivating healthy relationships. Our youth deserve guidance, not just in avoiding online harms but in channeling their energy toward growth.