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Chinese 'belly button challenge' takes Internet by storm Chinese 'bellybutton challenge': Why are people posting pictures reaching behind their backs on social media?
(35 minutes later)
A new online craze from China is taking the Internet by storm as thousands of people continue to post selfies of themselves doing ‘the belly button challenge’. A new online craze from China is taking the internet by storm as thousands of people continue to post selfies of themselves doing ‘the bellybutton challenge’.
Since Wednesday, the topic has received more than 130 million hits and has been the number one trending topic on China’s version of Twitter, Weibo.Since Wednesday, the topic has received more than 130 million hits and has been the number one trending topic on China’s version of Twitter, Weibo.
The challenge sees people attempting to touch their belly buttons by reaching around their backs as a way to prove whether they have a ‘good body’. If not, the next step is to lose weight until the challenge can be completed. The challenge sees people attempting to touch their bellybuttons by reaching around their backs as a way to prove whether they have a ‘good body’. If not, the next step is to lose weight until the challenge can be completed.
Experts, however, say the challenge does not necessarily mean that participants have a super-slim body – but rather that they are simply flexible and have long arms.Experts, however, say the challenge does not necessarily mean that participants have a super-slim body – but rather that they are simply flexible and have long arms.
And it’s not just women who are embracing the trend. One young man – with a slightly curvaceous figure – has attempted the craze which has, so far, garnered over 10,000 likes.And it’s not just women who are embracing the trend. One young man – with a slightly curvaceous figure – has attempted the craze which has, so far, garnered over 10,000 likes.
so sehun are trying to prove he's fit with this bizarre Chinese belly button challenge pic.twitter.com/AYAT1myvVTso sehun are trying to prove he's fit with this bizarre Chinese belly button challenge pic.twitter.com/AYAT1myvVT
Here are pictures of some girls trying out the trending 'Belly Button Challenge'  pic.twitter.com/xAZZZBiF6xHere are pictures of some girls trying out the trending 'Belly Button Challenge'  pic.twitter.com/xAZZZBiF6x
Oh so this is a trend in China now? "Belly Button Challenge" pic.twitter.com/AHVG6BFZyhOh so this is a trend in China now? "Belly Button Challenge" pic.twitter.com/AHVG6BFZyh
Although most have been doing the challenge for ‘fun’, an expert warned of bizarre trend’s dark side yesterday.Although most have been doing the challenge for ‘fun’, an expert warned of bizarre trend’s dark side yesterday.
Jolene Tan, a senior manager at Aware – an organisation in Singapore which champions women’s rights – said: “Quirky poses and pictures can be fun but, sometimes, they also become expressions of competitiveness or insecurity.”Jolene Tan, a senior manager at Aware – an organisation in Singapore which champions women’s rights – said: “Quirky poses and pictures can be fun but, sometimes, they also become expressions of competitiveness or insecurity.”
She added that the trend seemed to be “one more way of scrutinising women’s bodies to see whether they are ‘good enough’” and warned: “We need to do more to promote acceptance of diversity in women’s bodies.”She added that the trend seemed to be “one more way of scrutinising women’s bodies to see whether they are ‘good enough’” and warned: “We need to do more to promote acceptance of diversity in women’s bodies.”