What is the blackout challenge?
The blackout challenge, sometimes referred to as the choking game or pass-out game, is an online trend that gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok starting around 2020 and continuing into 2023. The dangerous activity challenges participants to choke themselves until they pass out for a brief high [1]. Videos often show participants putting belts, purse strings, or other household items around their necks and pulling tightly until they lose oxygen and collapse. The goal is to restrict blood flow to the brain long enough to achieve lightheadedness before releasing pressure and regaining consciousness [2]. However, misjudging timing or methods often leads to serious injury or death.
Though the exact origins are unclear, similar risky choking games have circulated among youth for decades. However, social platforms allow viral challenges to spread rapidly to large audiences. While some participants treat it as a stunt, others aim to induce near-death experiences. Critics argue the normalization and promotion of such content endangers vulnerable viewers [3].
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackout_challenge
[2] https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a38603617/blackout-challenge-tiktok-2021/
[3] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-11-30/is-tiktok-responsible-if-kids-die-doing-dangerous-viral-challenges
How does the challenge work?
The blackout challenge involves users filming themselves choking or strangling themselves until they pass out, with the goal of regaining consciousness before death. Participants are encouraged to prove they can withstand oxygen deprivation to the brain in various ways, like tying something around their neck or holding their breath, in an effort to achieve a euphoric “high” from the lack of oxygen. Instructions given often tell users to choke themselves until they can’t breathe and pass out, then release the choking mechanism and wake back up on camera. The challenge calls for users to participate alone, without any assistance or spotters, and film the entire process for posting on social media. Some videos depict teens, preteens and even younger kids participating in the challenge and blacking out
According to Bloomberg, the blackout challenge represents the latest evolution of similarly dangerous choking games that children have engaged in for decades. Social media allows it to spread rapidly to new participants. While challenges may not originate on or be endorsed by TikTok, the platform’s powerful “For You” algorithm determines which content goes viral, often exposing dangerous stunts to mass audiences of kids and teens.
Dangers and risks
The blackout challenge poses severe medical risks and dangers, including chance of death and serious injuries. Asphyxiating oneself to the point of unconsciousness can cut off oxygen flow to the brain for extended periods, resulting in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage or even death (1). Even brief interruptions of oxygen can cause permanent brain damage or trigger a heart attack (2). If someone passes out alone, they are also at risk of injury from falling or inability to get help if needed after regaining consciousness.
According to experts, intentionally restricting oxygen to the brain activates innate survival mechanisms that compel the person to start breathing again (1). However, children attempting the challenge may underestimate these risks and lose consciousness before their body forces them to breathe again. Death can occur within just minutes of oxygen deprivation. Even if the person survives, they may suffer convulsions, memory loss, brain damage, or go into a vegetative state (2).
Medical professionals warn that restricting oxygen to the brain, even briefly, can have lifelong impacts on cognitive function and motor skills (3). Survivors of oxygen deprivation often require extensive neurologic rehabilitation. Attempting such dangerous viral challenges indicates a lack of understanding of these severe risks.
Impact on minors
The blackout challenge has had a troubling impact on minors, with dozens of pre-teens and teenagers attempting the dangerous act. According to sources, at least 82 children have died from choking themselves to unconsciousness since the challenge first emerged in 2008.
In the past 18 months alone, the challenge is linked to the deaths of at least 20 minors who use TikTok, with most victims between the ages of 9 and 15. Developing brains already struggle with risk assessment, and the thrill-seeking nature of the blackout challenge can seem irresistible to impressionable kids.
According to child psychology experts, the prefrontal cortex which governs rational decision-making does not fully develop until the mid 20s. Minors attempting the blackout challenge likely do not comprehend the severe risks, including permanent brain damage or death.
Beyond fatalities, there are likely many more minors who have sustained brain damage or other serious injuries from oxygen deprivation. The full extent of the harm on adolescents is still unknown.
With social media’s instant access and buzzy challenges going viral, the blackout challenge poses a disturbing risk for youth. Increased awareness and preventative measures are needed to protect minors from falling prey to this dangerous trend.
Social media’s role
Social media platforms like TikTok have come under scrutiny for their role in promoting dangerous viral challenges like the blackout challenge. Critics argue that TikTok’s algorithms are designed to promote content that gets high engagement and sharing, which can inadvertently boost dangerous stunts and trends.
According to a 2022 Bloomberg article, TikTok’s algorithms determine which videos a user sees based on watch time, likes, comments, and other forms of engagement. This means challenges that are shocking or provocative are more likely to be shown to more users and spread quickly.
Some of the potential pros of social media challenges are that they can inspire creativity, build community, and help users gain followers and notoriety. However, the cons are that dangerous challenges can spread rapidly and influence young users who may not understand the risks involved.
While social media platforms have community guidelines prohibiting harmful challenges, critics say these platforms need to be more proactive in detecting and limiting the reach of any dangerous viral content. Others argue that parents and authorities also need to educate children on social media literacy and safety.
Examples and incidents
There have been several tragic examples of minors being severely injured or dying after attempting the blackout challenge on TikTok. In January 2021, a 12-year-old Colorado boy died after participating in the challenge, according to this Women’s Health article. Another 12-year-old boy died in Ohio in December 2022 after attempting the challenge as well, as reported by Bloomberg in this article.
One of the most heartbreaking cases was that of 10-year-old Nylah Anderson from Pennsylvania, who died after trying the blackout challenge in December 2021. Her parents later spoke out to warn others, as covered in this story. There have been several other injuries and deaths reported over the past few years tied to kids and teens attempting the dangerous challenge.
Expert opinions
Many doctors and psychologists have spoken out about the dangers of the blackout challenge. Dr. R. Stanley Liu, a pediatric neurologist at Stanford Children’s Health, said “the ‘pass out challenge’ is extremely dangerous, and in some cases, deadly. I urge the TikTok community to steer away from this challenge” (Parents).
Child psychologist John Mayer said “the blackout challenge on TikTok taps into middle schoolers’ desire for peer approval. Pre-teens are vulnerable to peer pressure, and if they see their friends participating in the challenge, they may feel compelled to as well.” Mayer emphasized the need for parents to monitor their children’s social media use and have open discussions about online challenges and trends (Bloomberg).
According to psychologist Dr. Free Hess, risky online challenges prey on teens’ developing brains which are “exceptionally sensitive to social and environmental cues.” Hess stated that “challenges which offer peer validation are powerfully alluring to teenagers” and encouraged parents to set social media boundaries with their kids (Women’s Health).
TikTok’s Response
TikTok has faced scrutiny for its role in the blackout challenge and the deaths it has caused. In response, TikTok said it has taken steps to improve safety on the platform, including updating its policies, improving its moderation systems, and providing resources to families.
In July 2022, after several child deaths linked to the challenge, TikTok announced new policies banning any content that promotes dangerous challenges and dares (1). The company said that promotion of the blackout challenge specifically was already against its rules, but it was further strengthening enforcement. Any videos posted in violation of the new policy are removed.
TikTok also pointed to its methods for proactively detecting violative content through automated systems and human moderation. However, critics argue the platform’s recommendation algorithm itself enables the spread of dangerous challenges before they are flagged (2).
On child safety, TikTok said it aims to create an “age-appropriate experience” with restrictions on content and messaging for younger users. Parents are also provided with tools to customize their child’s account settings. The platform partners with experts to provide educational resources for families (3).
While TikTok has put new policies in place targeting dangerous challenges, some believe more fundamental changes are needed in how content is amplified if the company wants to prevent the viral spread of risky behavior trends (2). For now, TikTok maintains that enforcement of its guidelines combined with parental resources offer adequate protection.
(1) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-11-30/is-tiktok-responsible-if-kids-die-doing-dangerous-viral-challenges
(2) https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/7/23199058/tiktok-lawsuits-blackout-challenge-children-death
(3) https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jul/05/tiktok-girls-dead-blackout-challenge
Prevention tactics
Several tactics can help prevent tragedies related to the blackout challenge on TikTok and social media. First and foremost, education is critical. Parents, teachers, healthcare workers and other trusted adults should discuss the dangers of dangerous viral challenges with children and teens. Open conversations can help make kids aware of risks and discourage participation. Schools can also incorporate social media safety into health and technology classes. It’s important kids understand the potentially fatal consequences of something portrayed as a game online.
Parental controls and monitoring provide another layer of protection. Parents may choose to disable or limit TikTok and social media use, restrict content, and enable parental controls through device and app settings. Staying involved in a child’s online activities, knowing their passwords, and setting ground rules can also help prevent harmful social media use.
Finally, social media reform offers the most systemic solution. Experts have called on platforms like TikTok to further modify algorithms, improve content moderation, ban hashtags promoting challenges, and address the viral spread of dangerous stunts. Though individuals must take responsibility for their actions, social networks also bear some accountability in curtailing reckless online trends that too often target and harm kids.
The future
As the TikTok blackout challenge continues to claim young lives, many are calling for increased regulation and oversight of social media platforms like TikTok. While TikTok has taken some steps to remove dangerous challenge content, many experts argue it is not enough. In 2022, a group of state attorneys general called on Congress to investigate TikTok and other platforms for exposing minors to harmful content.
Some lawmakers have proposed new legislation to hold social media companies liable when minors are exposed to dangerous viral challenges. However, such regulation faces major hurdles given protections for platforms under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Many experts believe voluntary measures by platforms are not sufficient, and argue legal reform is needed for adequate accountability and prevention of future tragedies.
As viral challenges continue to spread rapidly on social media, companies will likely face increasing pressure for transparency, swift content moderation, and protection of minors. While the outlook remains uncertain, the TikTok blackout challenge has underscored the urgent need to address social media’s dangers for youth.
