The TikTok Blackout Challenge: Choking’s No Game
The Blackout Challenge on TikTok has led to the death of multiple children across the world. It has also been called the Game of Choking, Speed Dreaming, the Fainting Game, or the Pass Out Challenge. It dares participants to choke themselves to the point of losing consciousness while uploading footage of the entire process to TikTok. Multiple medical professionals have warned that these actions can lead to fainting, brain damage, seizures, and even death but, despite these warnings, families are grieving the loss of their children to this twisted “game.”
On January 21, 2021, a 10-year-old girl in Italy died after engaging in the Blackout Challenge that TikTok recommended to her on the For You page of her account. According to Italian news agency, ANSA, the girl had tied a belt around her neck, causing her to go into cardiac arrest. She was rushed to a hospital in Palermo but was declared brain dead by doctors upon her arrival. Ultimately, her death triggered a government probe and stricter age verification rules for TikTok in Italy. Alexandra Evans, TikTok’s Head of Child Safety in Europe, said the platform came to an agreement with Italian regulators on the new safety features after weeks of talks. Italian regulators reported that TikTok also agreed to consider using artificial intelligence to identify children on the platform, and will launch a feature to allow other users to report anyone who appears too young to use the app.
On March 22, 2021, a 12-year-old boy, Joshua Haileyesus, died after engaging in the Blackout Challenge that TikTok recommended to him on the For You page of his account. He was discovered “breathless” and unconscious on the bathroom floor by his twin brother, and was ultimately pronounced dead after nineteen days on life support at Children’s Hospital Colorado. His family confirmed that the young boy accidentally choked himself with a shoelace while attempting the Blackout Challenge he viewed on TikTok.
On June 14, 2021, in Australia, a happy boy, James Boyd-Gergly, died after engaging in the Blackout Challenge that TikTok recommended to him on the For You page of his account. His mother found him dead in the front veranda of his home in Laagan, NSW, during the COVID-19 lockdown.
On July 20, 2021, a 12-year-old boy from Oklahoma, died after engaging in the Blackout Challenge that TikTok recommended to him on the For You page of his account. He was found unresponsive with ligature marks around his neck in an Oklahoma apartment, and was taken to Oklahoma Children’s Hospital but ultimately died of his injuries.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSES
Social media has infiltrated our society at a speed that was neither anticipated nor matched by legislative protections. Globally, governments, healthcare professionals, educators, and parents are struggling to protect our youth from the dangers of unfettered technology and social media use.
Italy’s data protection agency filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging a “lack of attention to the protection of minors” and criticizing the ease with which very young children could sign up to the video app.
Italy blocked access to TikTok for users who cannot prove definitively that they are at least 13 years old as required by TikTok’s terms and conditions, and launched a government investigation into the death of a 12 year old girl who was thought to be taking part in the Blackout Challenge.
In May 2021, a bipartisan coalition of 44 attorneys urged Facebook to abandon its plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under 13.
On August 6, 2021, the Trump administration issued an executive order banning operations of TikTok and WeChat, the popular messaging service owned by Tencent. A judge granted an injunction of the Trump order, giving TikTok a lifeline until November.
In November 2021, Attorneys General from across the United States announced an investigation into Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, for providing and promoting Instagram to children.
In March 2022, Attorneys General from eight states (California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont) joined a bipartisan, nationwide investigation into TikTok’s platform and its effect on the mental and physical health of children and young people:
“Our investigation will look at what TikTok knew about the risks to our children, and precisely what they have been doing to keep our kids online. In coordination with Attorneys General across the country, we are prepared to use the full weight of our consumer protection authority to hold TikTok and other social media giants accountable.”