TikTok started promoting several safety-focused features in Europe and Australia following the deaths. It was also allegedly responsible for the death of a 10-year-old Italian girl in January last year. The blackout challenge has been blamed for the deaths of 10-year-old Pennsylvania girl Nyla Anderson in December 2021 and 12-year-old Colorado boy Joshua Haileyesus in April that year. It’s actually quite scary and it’s quite serious,' Jane said. 'I’ve since discovered how dangerous this is and children around the world have lost lives.

'I don’t think it’s a matter of not using social media, but it is informing them of when they observe risks,' Kinsela said.Īn Australian mother, who was identified only as Jane for privacy purposes, issued the same warning after her son was taken to the hospital for participating in a similar challenge. Parents in Australia are now reportedly being encouraged to talk to their kids about the dangers of online trends. All calls resulted in children being transported to the hospital, according to Jen Kinsela, a spokeswoman for the state's emergency ambulance service. The challenge, which allegedly predated social media but recently saw a resurgence on TikTok, dares young people to hold their breath until they pass out, according to the outlet.Īuthorities in Queensland received four calls that involved the challenge in the span of an hour at one point. Authorities encouraged parents to talk to their kids regarding the dangers of online trendsĪuthorities and parents in Australia have warned of a social media trend that has been linked to the deaths of a number of children around the world.Īustralian paramedics treated several students for seizures and head injuries last week after the victims participated in TikTok's 'blackout challenge,' reported.Several students were treated for seizures and head injuries last week after they participated in the challenge.Australian authorities warned parents of the 'blackout challenge,' a TikTok trend that involves kids holding their breath until they pass out.

Black out challenge