'Sack tapping', punching classmates in the groin, can lead to serious injury

New York, May 29 (ANI): Hitting on the groin of a friend or "sack tapping", which is a popular prank among school children, can be dangerous, health experts have warned.

It can often lead to emergency surgery that can have an impact on kids' lives forever.

Urologist Dr. Scott Wheeler, who has treated young boys with ruptured testicles, claims that the dangerous fad is rapidly getting out of control in schools.

"It's just gotten way out of control," the New York Daily News quoted him as telling KARE11.com, a Minneapolis TV station.

He added: "All parents, you need to have this talk with your kids not to do it. It's lost its humor."

David Gibbons, 14, of Crosby, Minn., has been a victim of "sack tapping".

After being punched in the groin by another student at his school, he had to surgically remove his right testicle.

Gibbons' mother, Christy, said: "This may be called a game, but it's not a game. It's dangerous and it needs to stop."

Gibbons has left the high school and his parents hope to move him to a different school district.

Meanwhile, his previous school is investigating the incident.

Nonetheless, doctors have said the boy should be able to father children, despite living with just one testicle.

Christy added: "I've seen the pain he was in. I've seen what he went through every day, and it just breaks my heart and I don't want any other child to have to go through this." (ANI)