A disturbing new trend has emerged on TikTok in recent months that has authorities and parents concerned. Known as the “Blackout Challenge,” this dangerous viral dare encourages participants to choke themselves until they pass out. Videos depicting the challenge have racked up millions of views, prompting warnings from doctors and police about the potentially fatal consequences.
While social media challenges and viral stunts are nothing new, the Blackout Challenge represents an escalation in risky behavior that can lead to injury or even death. Against the backdrop of TikTok’s popularity among young users, the spread of the challenge highlights how impressionable minds can be swayed to action by peer pressure and the quest for digital fame.
In this article, we will examine the origins of the Blackout Challenge, the psychology that enables its viral spread, and the sobering real-world impacts it has already incurred. By spotlighting the latest viral peril, we hope to inform parents and spur serious discussion about social media’s influence and the importance of open communication with children.
Describe the Trend
The latest dangerous trend on TikTok is called the “pass out challenge,” which involves people intentionally making themselves pass out or lose consciousness while being filmed. The trend started a few months ago when TikTok users began posting videos of themselves hyperventilating or holding their breath until they passed out.
According to a report by Later.com, the pass out challenge videos began appearing on TikTok in November 2023 and started gaining widespread popularity in January 2024 (https://later.com/blog/tiktok-trends/). Teens and young adults participating in the challenge will hyperventilate with quick, shallow breaths or use techniques like the valsalva maneuver to restrict oxygen until they lose consciousness. The videos often show groups of friends gathered around the person passing out, catching them as they fall.
By February 2024, the #passoutchallenge hashtag had amassed over 125 million views on TikTok. Many participants treat passing out like a party trick or competition to see who can make themselves faint the fastest. However, doctors warn that intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain, even temporarily, can be extremely dangerous (https://blog.hootsuite.com/tiktok-trends/).
Why it’s Dangerous
Many of the latest dangerous trends on TikTok pose serious health risks and can even be life-threatening. One trend that has doctors concerned is the “Blackout Challenge,” which encourages users to choke themselves until they pass out (source). This extremely risky behavior can cut off oxygen to the brain, leading to brain damage, permanent disability, or even death. According to one report, an alarming 82 people have died from participating in this challenge (source).
Another dangerous dare is the “Penny Challenge,” which involves plugging a phone charger partially into the wall then touching the exposed prongs with a penny. This can cause sparks, electrical system damage, and in some cases fire or electrocution. Some other concerning trends include the “Fire Challenge,” which involves dousing your body in flammable liquid and setting yourself on fire, and the “ChaCha Slide Challenge” where people drive to music with their eyes closed. These irresponsible behaviors can lead to severe or fatal burns, car crashes, and serious injury.
Experts warn that permanent injury or death is a very real possibility with many of these trends. Impressionable teens may not comprehend the gravity of the risks involved. TikTok and social media platforms need to be more proactive in removing these dangerous challenges before they go viral and claim more young lives.
Social Media’s Role
Social media plays a major role in spreading online trends rapidly to large audiences. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram enable challenges and fads to gain worldwide visibility literally overnight. For example, according to one source, the parents of a 13-year-old girl who died from the dangerous “chroming” trend blame social media for spreading it so quickly among youth.
“We need to really lock down on the loopholes that enable kids to access this type of content,” the parents said, calling for stricter oversight of social platforms (Source).
Psychology Behind Trends
A key factor driving the popularity of dangerous social media trends is basic human psychology, especially the powerful need to fit in. As social creatures, humans have an innate desire to feel accepted and part of a group. When a risky trend goes viral online, the fear of missing out can compel people to participate, even if they know it’s unwise. According to psychologist Kamlesh Vasukam, viral trends tap into the psychological principle of social proof, where people look to others to guide their behavior and determine what’s safe or “cool” (Vasukam). The perceived approval of peers can outweigh one’s own better judgement.
Trends also spread rapidly due to their novelty factor. People are drawn to shocking, extreme and sensational content because it triggers high arousal emotions. TikTok’s algorithm further amplifies this by surfacing controversial challenges in users’ feeds. The competitive nature of social media means users are driven to create more outrageous content in pursuit of likes, views and fame. This creates an escalating cycle where risky behavior is encouraged.
Peer Pressure Element
Social media has been found to increase peer pressure on youth and adolescents. A recent study published in the Youth Medical Journal The Impact of Social Media on Peer Pressure in Adolescents showed that social media induces peer pressure through behavioral display, reinforcement, and amplification of social desirability. Social media provides a constant stream of images and videos of peers participating in trends and challenges which can pressure youth to also participate in order to gain social approval or status.
Research published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information also found that peer pressure may be an essential predictor of adolescent mobile social media addiction. The always-on nature of social media means teens are constantly exposed to their peers’ activities. The fear of missing out (FOMO) can drive teens to participate in dangerous viral challenges and trends even if they are hesitant.
Previous Trends
Social media trends, especially on platforms like TikTok, often encourage users to participate in dangerous stunts and challenges. According to one source, some past examples of dangerous viral trends include the Tide Pod challenge, the cinnamon challenge, the salt and ice challenge, and the choking game (https://www.myhighplains.com/life-health/12-dangerous-tiktok-challenges-trending/). The Tide Pod challenge involved biting into laundry detergent pods, while the cinnamon challenge dared people to swallow a spoonful of ground cinnamon. Both posed choking hazards. The salt and ice challenge and the choking game restricted oxygen to the brain.
Another source notes additional dangerous viral trends like the Benadryl challenge, which encouraged taking excessive doses of the medication, and the Kia challenge, which showed how to steal certain models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles (https://www.indy100.com/viral/tiktok-most-dangerous-challenges). Overall, many past social media challenges prioritized risky and life-threatening behavior over safety.
Long Term Impact
Dangerous social media trends and challenges can have a significant impact on society in the long run. While some may seem minor or unimportant, these trends collectively shape social norms, especially among youth. According to research from the University of Minnesota, social media challenges that encourage risky behavior can lead to a normalization of that conduct. As more kids participate and share videos, harmful actions can become widely accepted.
Additionally, dangerous online challenges promote the spread of misinformation and undermine critical thinking. When baseless ideas go viral purely for entertainment, people can fail to consider risks, evidence, and consequences. Some psychologists argue this conditions youth to make decisions on a whim, follow crowds blindly, and seek attention or thrills without forethought. Such conditioning can have lifelong effects on judgment and behavior.
There are also mental health dimensions. Trends that glamorize self-harm, substance abuse, bullying, and high-risk stunts can instill trauma or unhealthy coping mechanisms. Impressionable viewers may emulate and adopt these as a way of life, carrying shame, anxiety, or compulsive tendencies into adulthood. While not every participant suffers harm, experts agree any promotion of dangerous acts comes at a societal cost.
Expert Opinions
Experts emphasize the need for open communication and education when it comes to addressing dangerous trends on TikTok. As this article explains, “TikTok says that it regularly meets with youth advisory councils, in addition to nonprofits, academics and regulators, in order to gain further perspective, and insight into current issues.” Consulting directly with users helps TikTok understand the nuances behind concerning trends.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Barbara Greenberg advises parents to “have an open and non-judgmental conversation with their tweens/teens about these dangerous trends and challenges”. Rather than criticizing, show interest and emphasize your child’s health and self-esteem. Foster an environment where they feel comfortable coming to you about online content. With communication, parents can help children think twice before participating.
Conclusion
In summary, dangerous viral trends on social media like TikTok are concerning. While the novelty and peer pressure associated with these challenges may entice participation from some users, especially adolescents, the potential consequences can be severe. From physical injury to legal trouble, dangerous stunts and pranks promoted virally should give us pause.
Going forward, we must address this issue thoughtfully. Social media platforms need to consider how their algorithms amplify harmful content. Parents and educators need to have open conversations with youth about using discernment before participating in online challenges. And as individuals, we need to reflect on why we feel compelled to gain likes and views at the potential expense of our own wellbeing.
By being mindful and critically evaluating the media we consume and create, we can work to foster online spaces that uplift our shared humanity. The risks posed by dangerous viral trends underscore the need for greater collective responsibility as we navigate this relatively new digital landscape.