How TikTok’s Deadly ‘Blackout Challenge’ Puts Lives at Risk in Minutes
TikTok’s blackout challenge, also known as the choking challenge, encourages people to hold their breath or strangle themselves until they lose consciousness. This dangerous activity can cause serious injuries, including brain damage, within minutes.
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Tragically, there have been reports of children dying after attempting the challenge, raising alarm among parents and health professionals.
While the “blackout challenge” has been around since at least 2008, it started to make its rounds again in the 2020s. In November 2022, a Bloomberg Businessweek report linked the challenge to at least 15 deaths in children 12 and under, and 5 deaths in children aged 13 and 14.
The Dangers of TikTok’s Blackout Challenge
TikTok’s blackout challenge is extremely hazardous due to its reliance on asphyxiation, which restricts oxygen flow to the brain. This condition, known as cerebral hypoxia, can cause irreversible brain damage within four minutes and death in less than five minutes. When someone participates in the challenge, their body is starved of oxygen, which can lead to unconsciousness in just 10 seconds.
Dr Marla Levine, speaking to Healthline, explained, “When you deprive the brain of oxygen and you go unconscious, that’s it, you’re not able to stop the event.”
She emphasised how quickly hypoxia can cause permanent damage and even brain death if oxygen flow isn’t restored immediately.
The risks increase when participants attempt the challenge alone. Without supervision, there is no one to intervene once a person loses consciousness. This makes recovery almost impossible and can lead to tragic outcomes, including death.
Dr Mary Beth Howard, also speaking to Healthline, warned, “Everyone’s response to these challenges is variable. So someone could pass out within seconds, someone may take closer to a minute.”
This unpredictability makes the blackout challenge even more dangerous, as individuals may not be aware of how quickly they could lose consciousness.
Asphyxiation carries additional physical risks, including damage to the neck’s blood vessels and tissues, heart attacks, cardiac arrest, and the risk of choking if vomit is inhaled into the lungs during unconsciousness.
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Why TikTok’s Blackout Challenge Appeals to Teens
TikTok’s blackout challenge has gained popularity, particularly among adolescents, due to the sensation of euphoria that is falsely associated with losing consciousness. The challenge promises a temporary “high” that can make it seem appealing. Additionally, the desire for social media recognition and the pressure to participate in viral trends can push teens to take risks without fully understanding the consequences.
Speaking to Healthline, Benjamin Morse, a social media expert, highlighted the speed at which these trends spread: “These trends take off, and they accelerate at such a speed that something tragic can happen before a parent is even aware of what their kids are watching.”
The rapid spread of viral challenges makes it difficult for parents and caregivers to respond in time, increasing the risk of dangerous outcomes.
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The Physical Risks of Asphyxiation in TikTok’s Blackout Challenge
The physical risks of TikTok’s blackout challenge are severe and immediate. Asphyxiation deprives the brain of oxygen, and even a brief interruption can result in permanent damage. Within just a few seconds, participants can experience dizziness and confusion, followed by unconsciousness. The body needs a continuous supply of oxygen, and when the flow is restricted, brain cells begin to die off rapidly.
Permanent brain damage occurs within four minutes of oxygen deprivation, and if oxygen is not restored within five minutes, death is likely. Even if a person survives the initial challenge, long-term damage to cognitive functions, memory, and motor skills can occur. The neck, being a sensitive and vital area, is also at high risk. Strangulation can damage tissues, blood vessels, and the larynx, leading to lifelong complications.
Additionally, the heart may become affected by the strain, increasing the risk of heart attacks or cardiac arrest. Vomiting, often triggered by unconsciousness, poses another risk. If one aspirates vomit into the lungs, it can cause choking, adding another layer of danger to an already life-threatening situation.
How to Protect Children from TikTok’s Blackout Challenge
Parents can play a key role in preventing their children from participating in dangerous trends like TikTok’s blackout challenge. Open conversations about the risks of online challenges are essential. Discussing the serious consequences, such as brain damage or death, can help children understand the danger.
Active monitoring of social media use is equally important. Parents should familiarise themselves with the platforms their children use, including TikTok, and set clear boundaries around internet access. This includes using parental controls and privacy settings to limit exposure to harmful content.
Encouraging children to share what they encounter online is another effective approach. When children feel comfortable talking about what they see on social media, it allows parents to address potential risks before they escalate. Additionally, teaching critical thinking and the ability to recognise harmful trends helps children make better decisions on their own.
Read more: How Can I Boost My Teen’s Confidence in the Social Media Era?
Raising Awareness About TikTok’s Blackout Challenge
TikTok’s blackout challenge presents serious dangers that can lead to brain damage or death within minutes.
Dr Marla Levine stressed the urgency of acting quickly: “You have a brief period of time where you can reestablish blood supply or oxygen to your brain to prevent cerebral death.”
This highlights the severe risks tied to this challenge and the importance of immediate intervention.
Parents can help protect their children by staying informed about social media trends and having open discussions.
“It’s so incredibly important that parents are vigilant in having conversations with their children and vigilant about what they’re consuming in social media.” added Dr Mary Beth Howard.
