After the tragic loss of her son, a mother is raising awareness about the dangers of the “blackout challenge,” also known as the “choking challenge,” a deadly trend circulating on TikTok.
In a personal editorial for HuffPost, Joann Bogard recounts the heart-wrenching experience of losing her son, Mason, in 2019. Like many children his age, Mason was drawn to social media “challenges,” where users replicate popular activities and post them online. While some of these challenges are harmless, others pose serious risks.
One such trend is the “blackout challenge,” which encourages participants to intentionally choke themselves until they lose consciousness, chasing a euphoric high. Mason tragically lost his life after attempting this dangerous act, accidentally asphyxiating himself. Bogard is now on a mission to educate other parents about the risks of online challenges and to urge them to be more aware of social media dangers.
“What terrifies me most is that what happened to Mason can happen to any family — and it has happened to others. Parents are urgently seeking guidance on how to protect their kids online,” Bogard wrote in her piece for HuffPost.
What Is the “Blackout Challenge”?
The “blackout challenge” encourages individuals, often teenagers, to asphyxiate themselves until they pass out, believing it will induce a temporary high. Shared primarily on platforms like TikTok, this trend has gained popularity despite its extreme danger. Unlike other viral challenges that have come and gone, variations of asphyxiation-related trends resurface regularly.
“This dangerous challenge seems to reemerge with each generation,” says Dr. Mary Beth Howard, a pediatric emergency physician at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. “With the rise of social media and powerful algorithms, these dangerous behaviors spread quickly.”
Social media expert Benjamin Morse, a visiting lecturer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, added: “These trends can accelerate so quickly that tragedy strikes before parents even realize what their children are watching.”
The Life-Threatening Risks of Asphyxiation
Asphyxiation can result in brain damage or death within minutes, especially if someone attempts the challenge alone without supervision. Dr. Marla Levine, an associate professor of pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, warns, “When oxygen is cut off from the brain and someone loses consciousness, they may not be able to stop the event.”
Asphyxiation leads to cerebral hypoxia, a condition in which the brain is starved of oxygen. Even minimal pressure can trigger loss of consciousness in seconds. Permanent brain damage can occur within four minutes, and brain death in just five minutes.
The variability in how people respond to asphyxiation further complicates the challenge’s danger. “One person may pass out in seconds, while another could last up to a minute,” explains Dr. Howard. This unpredictability adds to the risk, making it impossible to anticipate the effects on an individual.
Additional risks of asphyxiation include:
- Damage to the neck and larynx
- Heart attack or cardiac arrest
- Aspiration (inhalation of vomit)
If someone loses consciousness due to asphyxiation, it is critical to call 911 immediately.
Talking to Teens About Online Challenges
Talking with adolescents about social media trends can be challenging, but it is a crucial step in preventing dangerous behavior. While there are calls for social media companies to take more responsibility, Morse advocates for parents to take proactive steps.
“Waiting for platforms to solve the problem isn’t going to happen,” Morse says. Instead, he recommends that parents familiarize themselves with the apps their children use. “If your kids are on TikTok, you need to be on TikTok. It’s not the most fun answer, but understanding what your children are consuming is essential.”
He emphasizes the importance of parents maintaining open conversations with their children about the content they engage with and setting clear boundaries. Staying informed and vigilant can make a difference in preventing tragedies like Mason’s.