Alarm bells ring loud: new "Jesus" trend is dangerous and deadly
According to Marcin "Borys" Miksza, a retired officer of the Central Bureau of Investigation of the Police, this phenomenon combines risky physical behavior with elements of religious and media culture, and its consequences are already tragic.
"The 'Jesus Crucified' trend is an extreme example of so-called digital performative extremism," Miksza emphasized. He added that young people imitate behaviors laced with religious symbolism, often without understanding their meaning. "They risk their lives in pursuit of online visibility," he pointed out.
The Polish Press Agency (PAP) reported on Monday, citing the KidsAlert Foundation, that young people around the world, including in Poland, are climbing tall buildings and hanging in the Crucifixion position . Serious accidents are occurring. The KidsAlert Foundation warns parents: "this trend is beyond any control."
In photos and videos posted online by Internet users, we can see young people hanging on road signs, billboards, and cell phone masts in such a way as to look like the Crucified Christ.
"It's not safe. Kids are falling, breaking bones, and there are serious injuries related to falls from heights," said Kinga Szostko of KidsAlert.
Marcin "Borys" Miksza, asked by PAP for his opinion, noted that this is a form of behavior in which " the element of shock is intended to attract attention, the aesthetics of suffering and sacrifice can be attractive to people in emotional crisis, recordings of falls or injuries are presented as proof of courage, which can act as a meme-like badge of honor."
He also noted that it could attract young people with mood disorders, depression, or suicidal thoughts. "Themes of ascending to heaven, crucifixion, and suffering can be dangerous 'language' for people experiencing a mental crisis. This requires an urgent psychological response ," appealed Marcin "Borys" Miksza.
In his opinion, the hypothesis that the trend could have been amplified or even deliberately propagated by foreign services "is consistent with the known phenomena of disinformation and information warfare."
- Many dangerous "internet fads" serve not only to gather reach, but also to disrupt social norms, lower the sense of security, and sow chaos in the sphere of upbringing and values - said the retired policeman.
He emphasized that this trend demonstrates how far a lack of awareness among parents and guardians can go. " Instead of panic, we need media education—how trends work , how to recognize them, education about cyber threats in schools, emotional support, and mood monitoring," he explained.
Miksza stressed that "TikTok's lack of reaction to this trend is disturbing."
At the same time, he pointed out that platform algorithms reward emotions—including destructive ones. " There is a lack of corporate responsibility for potentially lethal viral content . It's time for a debate on how to force intervention at the level of content recommendation systems," he emphasized.
Among other things, he proposes: reporting such content to platforms and law enforcement agencies; organizing workshops for young people on the limits of online expression; strengthening psycho-prophylaxis in schools, especially around the topics of depression, religion, and the symbolism of death; and public warning campaigns, but without sensationalism, but with emotional authenticity.
According to a retired Central Bureau of Investigation officer, the "Jesus" trend is not just a stupid prank, but a phenomenon with serious social and psychological consequences.
"It requires a response at many levels, from parents and teachers to psychologists, digital platforms, and law enforcement. This cannot be underestimated," he said.
Mira Suchodolska, PAP
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