# Lying Down Web Games Planking is the Latest Internet Dare Craze By Sandra Winn | Published 2011-05-16 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/planking References: [news.au](http://www.news.com.au/national/how-brisbane-planking-death-of-acton-beale-is-fueling-a-dangerous-web-craze/story-e6frfkvr-1226056501630) & [couriermail.au](http://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/planking-not-illegal-but-police-warn-internet-pranksters-could-face-charges-of-trespass/story-e6frer4f-1226055142247) Planking, or the [lying down game](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chair-ades-challenge), has increased in popularity among people of all ages on the Internet. The idea is to lie as stiff as a board on a public surface of your choice, snap a picture and share it with friends and other plankers. The more daring and creative the planking platform—or lack thereof—the better. Although planking is meant to be fun, it can be a very dangerous stunt especially when coupled with [alcohol](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monopoly-board-crawl), extreme bravery and the need for an adrenaline rush. Unfortunately, a young man in Australia, Acton Beale, met his death because he tried planking on a balcony and fell while trying to take his picture. According to Couriermail, "The phenomenon has come into the spotlight after a 20-year-old planker from Brisbane was charged by police in Gladstone for attempting the 'ultimate plank' – lying across a police car." Photo Credits: [Planking Australia Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/pages/Planking-Australia/147452668649160?sk=photos) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.2/10 - Popularity: 87% | Activity: 90% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Internet](https://www.trendhunter.com/internet) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Social Media Challenges:** Opportunity to create new and safe challenges for social media users - **Online Gaming Communities:** Develop interactive and safe virtual gaming spaces for planking enthusiasts - **Outdoor Adventures:** Incorporating technology in outdoor adventures for safer and memorable experiences ### Where This Applies - **Social Media:** Online social media platforms for new trends in viral challenges - **Gaming:** Online gaming websites targeting planking enthusiasts - **Adventure Tourism:** Outdoor adventure companies that incorporate technology to ensure safe and memorable experiences ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Outdoor Waterslide Drinking Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/what-do-you-meme-slip-sip-flip.md) - [Planking Workout Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/core-training-system.md) - [Cheeky Parenting Prostration Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/horizontal-parenting.md) - [Vertical Drinking Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wall-pong.md) - [Shocking Stacking Block Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stacking-block-game.md) - [Life-Inspired Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-game-of-death.md) - [Bluffing Party Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/what-the-actual-factual.md) - [Boozy Backyard Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beer-darts.md) - [Browser-Based Casual Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lol-land.md)