TikTok's 'Blackout Challenge' Has Claimed Another Child's Life and My Heart Is Heavy

I hate reading stories like these. It truly shakes me to my core and just breaks my heart…

So, news broke that TikTok’s ‘Blackout Challenge’ Has Claimed Another Child’s Life and My Heart Is Heavy. Seriously, I can’t imagine what those parents are going through right now.

According to reports, a 10-year-old Pennsylvania girl has died after attempting the “Blackout Challenge” that was popular on TikTok earlier this year.

Her mom, Tawainna Anderson told ABC 7:

“I’m so hurt. This is a pain that won’t go away. It’s at the top of my throat. I am so hurt,”

And truly, I cannot even imagine the pain she is going through.

What Is The TikTok Blackout Challenge?

Earlier in 2021, kids began tying a belt around their necks to self-asphyxiate as part of this challenge. Kids are doing this so they “pass out” but the prolonged lack of oxygen to their brain is causing all sorts of damage.

In fact, doctors are warning and want parents to know that doing this is incredibly dangerous and can lead to seizures, brain damage, and death.

While TikTok has been proactive at removing these challenges as soon as they are posted, it hasn’t stopped kids from talking amongst friends and trying it when parents aren’t near.

TikTok has also made a statement in regards to this tragedy saying:

This disturbing ‘challenge,’ which people seem to learn about from sources other than TikTok, long predates our platform and has never been a TikTok trend. We remain vigilant in our commitment to user safety and would immediately remove related content if found. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family for their tragic loss.”
TikTok Spokesperson

In addition, TikTok does not show search results or hashtags related to this rumored ‘challenge’ on TikTok. For example, if you try searching “Blackout Challenge” on TikTok, you will see this: