Blackout challenge: 12-year-old dies after attempting social media trend; what is the choking challenge?

A 12-year-old boy from Castleford, England, has died while performing a dangerous social media trend known as the "blackout challenge." The incident has reignited global concern over harmful online content targeting children as reported by People.West Yorkshire Police confirmed that a boy died in Castleford, on Friday, media outlet Yorkshire Live reportedAuthorities responded to an emergency call at a residence in Manor Grove, Castleford, following reports of a child in distress. He was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead. An investigation has been launched under the supervision of the West Yorkshire Coroner, although police have confirmed that the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

What is Blackout Challenge?

According to Healthline The “blackout challenge,” also known as the “choking challenge,” is a dangerous online trend spreading on platforms like TikTok. It encourages participants to restrict their own breathing—usually by holding their breath or using objects—until they pass out. The act can lead to serious brain injury or even death.A GoFundMe campaign launched by a family friend Agnieszka Czerniejewska claims Sebastian lost his life after attempting the "blackout challenge," Czerniejewska also urged parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities, writing- “The online world can be as dangerous as the real one — sometimes even more so.”

The fundraiser, which has raised over $5,700, also described Sebastian as a gifted and joyful child who taught himself guitar and keyboard, loved to draw, and was deeply loved by his family.This incident comes just months after British families filed a lawsuit in the US against TikTok, alleging the deaths of their children — aged 12 to 14 — were caused by the same challenge. According to The Guardian, the lawsuit accuses TikTok of using its algorithm to push dangerous content to vulnerable users to increase engagement and profit.TikTok, in its defence, has stated that content related to the blackout challenge has been blocked since 2020 and that the platform removes such material proactively. The platform says it directs users searching for harmful challenges to safety resources.