Following two families who sued TikTok over the deaths of their children filing a lawsuit, the “blackout challenge or asphyxiation challenge” is once again trending on social media.
The risky challenge, which encourages participants to choke themselves until they pass out, has gained popularity on several social media platforms recently and has been connected to several child fatalities and major injuries.
What Is Asphyxiation Challenge
The blackout challenge often referred to as the “Asphyxiation Challenge” or “pass-out challenge” or “choking challenge,” among many other titles, urges participants to rob themselves of oxygen by using belts, ropes, or other similar objects.
It predates social media apps; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued advisories about it as early as 2008; but, in 2020 and 2021, TikTok saw a resurgence in popularity.
The CDC projected in 2008 that 82 kids in the US perished while attempting the challenge between 1995 and 2007.
The organization published a list of side effects and symptoms to watch out for parents and other people worried that someone they know might be doing the challenge. These consist of:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Neck marks
- Strong headaches
- Acting disoriented after being alone
Why Is This Dangerous
The challenge has the potential to do serious injury, according to doctors from all over the world. General practitioner Dr. Nick Flynn of Cork, Ireland, discussed the risks in an interview with the Irish Examiner. According to him, the shortage of oxygen in the brain causes symptoms comparable to those of drowning, choking, or cardiac arrest.
“Brain damage can occur if there is low oxygen to the brain for longer than three minutes, and death can occur if there is low oxygen to the brain for longer than five minutes.”
Flynn also emphasised the risk of someone hurting themselves by falling down as they lose consciousness.
He advised parents to talk to their kids about these matters and to keep on guard.
