In the ever-changing world of social media and the online landscape, new trends often take the country - and even the whole world - by storm. Nearly every American will groan at the mention of formerly ubiquitous internet trends such as the "cinnamon challenge," which encouraged thousands of people to try swallowing an entire spoonful of the potent spice without coughing. As always, the general public gradually loses interest in these trends to make room for whatever hot topic will take its place. Most online trends are relatively harmless, but some of them, including the budding fad of rock and cliff diving, pose a serious risk to people who engage in them without taking the necessary precautions.

In recent weeks, various social media platforms have seen an increase of content depicting thrill seekers who enjoy plunging from the top of steep cliffs into rivers and other bodies of water. The precarious pastime has been safely practiced by trained professionals and extreme sportsmen for years, but the abrupt and widespread interest among teenagers and young adults has prompted many local school districts to issue a warning to Lancaster County residents interested in trying it out themselves. Due to the county's proximity to the Susquehanna River, which is easily accessible to areas such as Pequea, Washington Boro, Holtwood and Columbia, local medical professionals have made an effort to discourage attempts to practice cliff jumping in the area.

Recently, some school administrators sent an email to students and their parents to highlight a few specific concerns, asserting "there is nothing remotely safe about cliff jumping or diving into the Susquehanna River." Due to the presence of a hydroelectric dam in Safe Harbor, the river has an unpredictable variation in depth that poses a threat to any diver, and many submerged objects are not visible from high above the surface.

Additionally, many people believe jumping into water is entirely safe because of the cushion the water provides. According to the National Library of Medicine's (NLM) website, most cliff diving related injuries are associated with the water entry, and divers' entry position plays a key role in how severely an individual can be injured. During a study conducted in 2013, NLM determined foot and ankle injuries as the most common result of cliff diving, and more than 50% of injured divers entered the water feet first.

While you're brainstorming fun activities to try out this summer, it may be wise to heed medical professionals' warning and remember that the Susquehanna River isn't known for its diving-friendly landscape - no matter how exciting the activity may seem online.