Deadly TikTok Challenges: Blackout, Benadryl, ‘Chroming’ – Children Dying Behind Screens

In just a few seconds, a child’s curiosity or the desperate need for online validation can turn into tragedy. The now-infamous ‘Blackout Challenge,’ which encourages children to choke themselves until they lose consciousness, has already cost dozens of lives worldwide. Behind every statistic about these hidden challenges lurks a haunting question: How did we get here—and what should be done? Ten-year-old Nyla used a bag strap and was found dead in her mother’s closet, while 8-year-old Lalaney from Texas was discovered hanging with a rope. The ‘blackout challenge,’ widely known as ‘blackout challenge,’ encourages young people to suffocate themselves until they temporarily lose consciousness, then upload the video to TikTok. Unfortunately, this game often proves fatal. Doctors have previously warned about the risks involved in participating in this challenge, which can even lead to death. At other times, according to doctors, the Blackout Challenge can cause fainting, seizures, and even brain damage. However, TikTok’s safety settings and search filters make it difficult to find content related to the challenge. TikTok claims that since 2020, it has blocked searches for related videos or hashtags, and its content guidelines prohibit dangerous challenges. It also states that such videos are removed as quickly as possible and that users searching for such content are automatically directed to informative material on safety. Sebastian, 12 years old – United Kingdom On Friday, June 27, 2025, 12-year-old Sebastian from England was found unconscious at home. Emergency services arrived at 6:06 p.m., but despite rescuers’ efforts, the boy had drawn his last breath. His family believes his death is linked to participation in the viral online ‘Blackout Challenge.’ Sebastian was found with a sheet wrapped around his neck, lying on the stairs of his house. Despite frantic efforts by paramedics, he died in the hospital—but it was too late. ‘Sebastian was only 12 years old—a boy full of dreams, passion, and incredible talent. He taught himself to play guitar and piano and loved to draw,’ reads a GoFundMe page set up to support the family. His family described him as a happy and talented boy. His death sparked outrage across the UK and reignited the public debate over children’s online safety. Notably, Sebastian’s tragic passing comes months after families of four British teenagers filed a lawsuit against TikTok in the U.S. Parents claim their children’s deaths were also linked to the ‘blackout challenge.’ Isaac Kenevan (13 years), Archie Battersbee (12 years), Julian ‘Jools’ Sweeney (14 years), and Maia Walsh (13 years) are added to the grim list of victims of the same challenge. Their families filed a class-action lawsuit against TikTok and ByteDance, accusing the platform of promoting dangerous content to minors through its algorithm.