What is the blackout challenge?
The blackout challenge, sometimes referred to as the choking challenge or pass-out challenge, is an online trend that encourages participants to choke themselves until they pass out. The dangerous activity, which gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, involves users squeezing their own neck or putting pressure on their carotid artery until blood flow is temporarily cut off, leading to a loss of consciousness.
While records of similar choking games date back decades, the blackout challenge appears to have emerged as a viral TikTok trend sometime around 2020-2021. Videos shared under related hashtags dared viewers to participate and showed users choking themselves until they passed out. The hashtag #blackoutchallenge accumulated over 25 million combined views before being banned by TikTok.
History and origins
The so-called “blackout challenge” originated in the early 2000s as part of dangerous “pass-out games” that spread among teenagers and young adults. Though the exact origins are unclear, early records of similar behavior date back to 1995 (https://www.businessinsider.com/blackout-challenge-history-explained-oklahoma-child-dead-tiktok-trend-police-2021-7). By 2008, the “choking game” gained popularity on Youtube and social media under names like “the fainting game,” “space monkey,” “suffocation roulette,” and “the choking game.” Videos and instructions spread through blogs and forums, challenging participants to restrict blood flow to the brain using belts, ropes, or their own hands in order to achieve a brief high before passing out.
While the challenge has existed for over a decade under various names, it recently reemerged on the popular social media platform TikTok. In 2021, authorities began investigating deaths linked to the so-called “blackout challenge”circulating in TikTok videos and social media (https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a38603617/blackout-challenge-tiktok-2021/). Though not originating on TikTok itself, the platform brought renewed attention to the dangerous stunt among teenagers and young users.
How it works
The blackout challenge, also known as the choking game or pass-out challenge, involves intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain to achieve a high. Participants achieve this by holding their breath, strangling themselves with belts, ropes or their own hands, or hyperventilating before holding their breath (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackout_challenge).
On the video-sharing platform TikTok, users record themselves participating in the challenge. They begin recording, then employ one of the oxygen restriction methods mentioned above until they pass out, aiming to do so for as long as possible. Friends sometimes participate as well, choking each other or timing how long the participant can withstand the challenge (source: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a38603617/blackout-challenge-tiktok-2021/). The goal is to regain consciousness before suffering serious injury or death.
Dangers and risks
The blackout challenge poses extremely serious health risks and has even resulted in death in some cases. Participants temporarily cut off oxygen to their brain by choking themselves with belts, ropes, or their own hands until they pass out. This can lead to seizures, brain damage, and cardiac arrest.
When oxygen flow to the brain is interrupted, even briefly, it can cause brain cells to start dying within minutes. This can lead to long-term brain injury or even death. One study found that 82% of non-fatal choking game incidents resulted in some kind of short-term neurological effect.
According to one estimate, over 82 children died as a result of participating in the choking game between 1995-2007. Many of these deaths occurred the first time a child tried it. The chance of dying on the first attempt may be higher than in subsequent tries because the brain doesn’t know how to react and modulate oxygen deprivation.
Because of the high risk of passing out,Participants often try the challenge while alone in their bedroom. If they lose consciousness, there is no one nearby to intervene and resuscitate them, which increases the chance of fatality.
While exact numbers are unclear, news reports confirm that multiple children have died as a result of attempting the blackout challenge since it emerged on TikTok in recent years.
Deaths and injuries
The blackout challenge has sadly resulted in multiple reported deaths and injuries, especially among children and adolescents. According to an article by Bloomberg “Blackout Challenge” on TikTok Is Luring Young Kids to Death, at least 20 children are believed to have died from participating in the challenge just in the last 2 years. Other sources like The Independent also confirm multiple child deaths associated with attempting the challenge.
Some high profile cases of deaths include 12-year-old Joshua Haileyesus who died after attempting the challenge in March 2021, and 10-year-old Nylah Anderson who died after participating in the blackout challenge in December 2021. Both were young children who tragically lost their lives from oxygen deprivation while attempting the challenge alone in their bedrooms.
In addition to reported deaths, medical experts warn that participating in the challenge can lead to serious injuries such as brain damage from lack of oxygen, loss of consciousness, and other physical harm from self-strangulation or suffocation methods used.
Who is vulnerable
Certain demographics appear to be more susceptible to trying dangerous viral challenges like the blackout challenge. According to research, preteens and teenagers are more likely to participate in risky online challenges due to developmental factors like peer pressure and risk-taking behaviors.
For example, one 12-year-old died after participating in the blackout challenge, as the preteen brain is still developing impulse control and the ability to resist peer pressure. Additionally, teens crave social approval and status, which can motivate participation despite severe risks.
While any child can potentially attempt viral challenges, parents should be especially vigilant about monitoring preteen and young teen social media use. Open communication, internet safety education, and supervision can help protect vulnerable youth against online peer pressure and dangerous challenges.
Social media response
TikTok and other social media platforms have faced scrutiny for their role in the dangerous blackout challenge. In response, TikTok has said they actively remove content promoting the challenge and redirect related searches to warning PSAs (TikTok, 2022). They also use a combination of technology and moderators to find and remove content violating their community guidelines.
However, critics argue social media companies need to do more to protect children using their platforms (Bloomberg, 2022). While TikTok removes some content, videos demonstrating the challenge remain on the platform. TikTok points to parental controls and privacy settings as tools to protect kids. But child safety advocates say the onus should not solely be on parents to prevent harm.
In May 2022, the mother of a 10-year-old girl who died from the challenge filed a lawsuit against TikTok accusing it of negligence. But a judge dismissed the case in October 2022, ruling that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields internet platforms from liability for dangerous challenges arising from user-generated content (Reuters, 2022).
Going forward, social media companies face increasing pressure to build safety into platforms by design and do more to protect minors. But the law currently provides internet platforms broad immunity for content posted by users.
Parental warnings
Regardless of its origins, the blackout challenge has resulted in countless tragedies. Parents must keep an eye out for warning signs their child may attempt the challenge. Discussing it openly, calling it by other names like the “pass-out game,” or expressing interest in trying it can all be red flags (https://www.indy100.com/tiktok/tiktok-blackout-challenge-warning-signs).
The best way to protect kids is to have candid conversations about online challenges and peer pressure. Explain the serious dangers and remind them their health is the top priority. Monitor their social media use more closely and encourage them to come to you if they ever feel unsafe. Work with schools to increase awareness. Most importantly, provide support so they know you’re always on their side.
Expert commentary
Many experts have weighed in on the dangers of the blackout challenge and offered insights on how to prevent further tragedies. According to Dr. Free Hess, a pediatrician, “The blackout challenge is every parent’s worst nightmare. Children participating are literally strangling themselves to achieve a euphoric feeling caused by lack of oxygen to the brain. Their developing brains cannot discern well that this is high risk behavior which could turn fatal” (source).
Psychologist John Mopper believes social media companies need to take more responsibility: “With the blackout challenge and other viral trends, tech companies are not doing enough to curb dangerous behavior that originates on their platforms. They have a duty to protect vulnerable users, especially children” (source).
Many experts agree that open communication between parents and kids is key. As child psychologist Laura Williams said, “Parents need to have ongoing conversations with kids about social media safety and make sure their children feel comfortable coming to them if they encounter harmful viral challenges or content online” (source).
Alternatives and prevention
The blackout challenge poses huge risks and should always be avoided. Instead, there are healthier ways to bond and connect through social media. Rather than dangerous viral trends, parents can encourage kids to make compassion-based content, share talents like art or music, or join online communities around positive interests. Apps like TikTok should consider prominently displaying mental health resources or removing harmful challenges when discovered.
Education and open discussion are key to preventing harm. Parents can talk to their kids about peer pressure, spread awareness regarding the severe dangers, and monitor their social media activity. Schools can also incorporate media literacy lessons on evaluating risks. Developing security tools to detect dangerous challenges could help social platforms intervene sooner.
Most importantly, anyone who sees a blackout challenge video should immediately report it to keep others safe. While risky viral trends may emerge, a caring community looking out for one another can help reduce their impact.
