Kids across Northern Ireland are suffering horrendous burns after taking part in a new online craze.
For teens are now posting videos of themselves pouring salt onto body parts before rubbing their salt-covered skin with ice to see how long they can stand the agonising burning pain.
They're then uploading videos of their horrendous burns on to the internet.
Foyle SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey is urging parents to warn their children about the new online craze called the 'salt and ice challenge'.
The stark warning comes after the recent 'neknominate' craze in which young people all over the UK and Ireland lost their lives.
Applying salt to ice can reduce the freezing point of ice to as low as -17C, causing the horrific burns which are very similar in nature to frostbite.
The numbing sensation caused by the ice means the participant may not be fully aware of the damage they are inflicting upon their own body.
Mr Ramsey has now warned parents that some of the burns that young people are inflicting upon themselves as a result of the craze are leaving them scarred for life.
He said: “I have been contacted by a number of very concerned parents, some of whose teenagers have undertaken this challenge and posted videos online about it. This dangerous act involves pouring salt on a body part, normally arms, and rubbing ice on it causing a burn, and posting a video online about how long someone can withstand the pain.
“It is quite clear that some of the photos I have seen about this contain burns that will leave a person scarred for life, and indeed doctors are warning of possible muscle damage as a result of what are very severe and painful burns.
“I would urge parents particularly of teenagers to monitor social media use and in particular speak to their loved ones about this issue, it is very dangerous and clearly no young person wants to be left with scars, especially as a result of an online ‘dare’.”