Welcome to a new #ScaryTuesday, tiktakers! It's been a while since we last talked about
summoning games, and so, today we want to take a look back at one which caused a huge commotion
all around the world: The Charlie Charlie Challenge. Do you remember it?
In a matter of hours the game became viral, producing hysteria all around the world. It was
first shared on May 26 of 2015, and on that night, many Internet users tried it and shared their
experiences on social media. In case you don't remember, we'll explain to you how the game works:
You'll need a piece of paper, and two pencils. Divide the paper in four sections,
forming four rectangles. And in each rectangle write Yes and No: Two yeses, and two noes.
Just like this, tiktakers. Now, all you have to do is place one pencil on top of the other,
forming a cross. The pencil on top has to be placed horizontally.
Then comes one of the most important steps,
which is summoning Charlie's spirit. Start by asking the following question:
"Charlie Charlie, are you there?" If the pencil on top moves, that means you'll be free to ask
Charlie whatever you want, so long as he can answer either with a Yes or a No. And then, the
pencil on top will allegedly move to one rectangle or another according to what Charlie is answering.
When this challenge was first shared,
it was believed that Charlie was actually a demonic spirit. And so,
people stressed the importance of finishing the challenge correctly after asking your questions.
The way to do it? By just saying "Charlie Charlie", and adding something else. If this step
was not taken, then Charlie's spirit could stay, and haunt the people participating in the game.
Others also said that if someone receives Charlie inappropriately, by doing something like
running away, Charlie could cast a curse on that person that would completely destroy their life.
Moreover, people also emphasized that Charlie did not want to answer out-of-place questions,
and that if anyone dared to make a question like that, that person would be cursed as well.
In many parts of the world, the game was banned for being considered witchcraft, and
in the places where it wasn't, it became so viral that it produced panic attacks and hysteria in
many people. Soon enough, an urban legend started going around the Internet claiming that Charlie
was actually the spirit of a Mexican boy who was murdered. This produced even more fear and chaos
both on the Internet, and in many schools, specially in Mexico, Uruguay and Colombia.
Nervous breakdowns, panic attacks, and other symptoms of extreme anxiety quickly multiplied,
alarming both parents and teachers. Some children and teenagers who tried the challenge claimed
to suffer constant nightmares, insomnia, and even depression afterwards. Because of that,
special talks and training sessions about these issues started taking place in many schools.
Now tiktakers, what did actually cause all those issues in so many people?
Was it an effect of the summoning game, or just an effect of the fear and anxiety?
Over time, it was proven it was all just a product of fear.
It's true that the top pencil moves when doing the challenge, but that has a scientific explanation:
When a pencil is placed in an unnatural position, and doesn't have proper support,
it's normal for it to move or even fall due to a small air current, and even gravity itself.
We also have to keep in mind that with a slight puff any player can make their pencil move,
and as you know tiktakers, fear feeds the minds of many wicked people.
On the other hand, we should also keep in mind that the viralization of the Charlie Charlie
challenge, which existed way before, coincides with the release of a horror movie by Warner Bros.
titled, "The Gallows". In this movie, a group of friends sneak into their former
school to re-enact a theater play where a student died years before. And one of
the most terrifying parts of the movie is when they do the Charlie Charlie Challenge.
As you can see tiktakers, once again our fears have been taken advantage of for other uses. And
either way, if you are particularly apprehensive and easily frightened, it's better to not have
a bad time playing a summoning game. Because who knows… what if Charlie actually responds?