Jake Paul receives huge backlash after driving blindfolded for ‘Bird Box challenge’ video

YouTube star Jake Paul is in trouble again after posting a new video in which he drives a car while blindfolded for the ‘Bird Box’ challenge.

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The Bird Box challenge is named after the movie of the same name released on Netflix, which sees the protagonists use blindfolds to ensure they don’t look at supernatural entities that kill those who catch a glimpse.

Those who partake in the challenge attempt to walk around blindfolded like the characters from Bird Box, with the challenge becoming popular on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

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While many who participate walk around their homes or gardens, Paul took the challenge to a dangerous new level, which saw the star walking in traffic alongside fellow YouTuber George Janko and even getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Paul and Janko are seen walking in traffic blindfolded.

The start of the video saw a blindfolded Paul speed down what seems to be his driveway in a truck while wearing the blindfold, crashing into trash cans. Later on, Paul appears to drive his car out onto a busy street, although it’s possible that these parts of the video have been faked.

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The American did include a disclaimer in the description of the video that stated the “stunts” were carried out by trained professionals, however many on social media have criticised the star for showing himself driving without the ability to see, saying that it promotes behaviour that could endanger the lives of himself and others to his young audience.

Paul can be seen driving his truck in the video.

Netflix have asked those taking part in the Bird Box challenge to be careful, tweeting: “Please do not hurt yourselves with this Bird Box challenge. We don’t know how this started and we appreciate the love, but do not end up in the hospital due to memes.”

The video posted by Paul was demonitized on January 7 by YouTube, but the video has now been removed from his channel entirely. 

It’s unclear whether the YouTuber decided to delete the video himself, or if YouTube took it down for breaking their Community Guidlines which state videos cannot encourage dangerous activities.