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This note comes from Mistlift, a plain-language guide for parents and educators to what kids are into online.

A note for families: Ghosting Challenge (hoax)

Debunked Ages 11-15 Last checked October 9, 2026

What it is

A viral alert about a supposed TikTok road-stunt challenge spread through a police warning and parent groups in Quebec, but TikTok and fact-checkers found no videos of it, and the alert traced back to an account known for fake posts.

How much it matters

A viral scare that isn’t real, or is badly overstated. A person checked this card before it was published.

Should you worry?

You can relax on this one: no video of the challenge has been found on TikTok, and the platform says it has no trace of it. The alert came from an account that often posts false information, with a doctored image. The police warning was meant as prevention, and the police had seen no confirmed case themselves. What is real is the worry: some adults said they saw kids acting strangely near roads, but nobody can say whether those kids were influenced by the rumour. Before you share a scary alert, check whether a news outlet or the platform confirms it. A short, calm reminder about road safety is still worthwhile, with no panic.

What to say

“Hey, I heard about a scary TikTok challenge on the news, and it turns out nobody could find it anywhere, so it looks like a hoax. Have you seen anything like it, or heard people at school talk about it? Either way, I'd love to hear how you tell when something online is real.”

Sources

Read the full card, and share it, at mistlift.app/cards/ghosting-challenge-hoax