A Norwegian primary school has issued an urgent warning to parents after witnessing a dangerous trend of students using headlocks during playground activities. School administrators at Sunnland School reported a significant increase in physical confrontations involving chokeholds among their approximately 400 students.
Principal Nina Lykke described the concerning behavior. "Headlock is a violent term, but I don't know other ways to describe it. Some students jump on each other from behind and apply neck grips," she explained. The principal expressed serious concerns about potential accidents occurring even without harmful intent.
The trend began at the start of the school year and has since spread widely among students. "First it was just a few students, but now it has become widespread and turned into 'a thing'," Lykke noted. Many participants describe the behavior as mere play, using the English term "headlock" to refer to their activities.
Medical experts are sounding alarms about the potentially fatal consequences. Dr. Lars Erik Laugsand, assistant clinic chief at St. Olav's Hospital Emergency Department, emphasized the extreme dangers. "This type of play is extremely dangerous and can have serious consequences in a very short time," he warned. "When you choke each other, the oxygen supply to the brain reduces. Even a few seconds of oxygen deprivation can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage, or in the worst case, death."
The medical community has observed how quickly such situations can escalate, even among apparently healthy individuals. Dr. Silje Nilsen, medical director at Trondheim's intermunicipal emergency clinic, explained the mechanics of the danger. "Surprisingly little force is needed for a headlock to become dangerous. During a headlock, the neck's blood vessels get compressed, and reduced blood flow to the brain can cause unconsciousness."
This isn't the first instance of dangerous social media challenges affecting Norwegian youth. Last year, a middle school boy in Stavanger was hospitalized with serious injuries following a choking game originating from TikTok, known as the "headlock challenge."
School administrators have responded with increased supervision during breaks and immediate consequences for participants. Students who engage in headlocks or other violent behavior now face immediate dismissal for the day. The school's message to parents clearly states: "This is not what school everyday life should be like for students and staff."
The principal reports receiving positive feedback from parents following the school's communication. She hopes the clear zero-tolerance policy will effectively end the dangerous trend. Early dialogue and information remain the most effective measures for preventing serious incidents, according to medical professionals who encourage open conversations about the risks while understanding the social pressures and trends that develop in youth environments.
Norwegian schools face ongoing challenges balancing student safety with the evolving nature of childhood play and social media influences. The current situation highlights how quickly potentially dangerous behaviors can normalize within student communities, requiring proactive intervention from both educational institutions and families.