Latest news with #blackoutchallenge
News.com.au
01-07-2025
- News.com.au
‘A boy full of dreams': Shocking TikTok challenge exposed
A 12-year-old UK boy named Sebastian has died after allegedly participating in the dangerous TikTok 'blackout challenge', which hypes a form of self-strangulation by challenging users to see how long they can go holding their breath. It's sadly claimed the lives of multiple youngsters. According to a statement by the West Yorkshire Police, authorities had been tipped off by ambulance services about the dire condition of a youth at a house in Castleford on June 27, Yorkshire Live reported. The boy was transported to the hospital, but unfortunately died shortly thereafter. The coroners are currently probing the deceased's cause of death, which they don't believe to be 'suspicious' in nature. On a GoFundMe page launched on behalf of Sebastian's parents, organiser Agnieszka Czerniejewska said that the boy lost his life due to participation in the 'blackout challenge'. This dangerous game — one of several potentially fatal fads to circulate TikTok — can restrict oxygen to the brain, potentially resulting in seizures, serious injury or death. In 2022, the Independent reported that at least 20 deaths had been linked to this asphyxiation game in 18 months, with 15 of the victims being just 12 or younger. Czerniejewska dubbed the youngster's death a 'tragedy beyond words'. 'His parents gave him all the love and care in the world — but that one moment online changed everything,' she wrote on the page, which has garnered over $A13,000 in donations at the time of writing. She described Sebastian as a 'boy full of dreams, passion, and incredible talent'. 'He taught himself to play the guitar and keyboard, and he loved to draw,' lamented the organiser, who is using the incident as a cautionary tale against the perils of online challenges. 'Talk to your children about what they do online,' she implored. 'Ask what they watch, who they talk to, what inspires them. Be present. Don't assume: 'My child would never do that.' The online world can be as dangerous as the real one — sometimes even more so.' Czerniejewska said she wanted to ensure that Sebastian's passing wasn't 'in vain.' 'Let it be a quiet call for awareness — a reminder to stay close, to talk more, to protect the ones we love,' she said. 'So that other children may live. So that no other parent has to experience this unimaginable pain.'
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Yahoo
Boy, 12, Dies After Trying Dangerous Social Media Challenge: ‘One Brief Moment Changed Everything'
A 12-year-old boy died in Castleford, England, on June 27 A GoFundMe page set up by a loved one claims the boy's death stemmed from a dangerous social media challenge known as the 'blackout challenge,' which involves choking 'What happened is a tragedy beyond words. No parent should ever have to bury their child. No one should ever endure such heartbreak,' the fundraiser's organizer wroteA 12-year-old boy has died — and a GoFundMe page set up by a loved one is claiming that his death stemmed from a dangerous social media challenge known as the 'blackout challenge.' The West Yorkshire Police announced that a boy died in Castleford, England, on Friday, June 27, according to local outlet Yorkshire Live. "Police were called by ambulance colleagues to an address in Manor Grove, Castleford, at 6:06 p.m. [ on June 27] following reports of concern for the safety of a child," police told the outlet in a statement. "Officers attended the location and the boy was taken to hospital where it was later confirmed that he had died. Enquiries are ongoing on behalf of the West Yorkshire Coroner to establish exactly what happened," the statement continued. "The incident is not being treated as suspicious." In a GoFundMe campaign started soon after the incident, the fundraiser's organizer Agnieszka Czerniejewska identified the boy simply as Sebastian, writing that 'a dangerous internet challenge took his life.' 'Sebastian lost his life because of an online challenge,' she continued, specifically referencing the blackout challenge, before mentioning his family. 'His parents gave him all the love and care in the world — but that one moment online changed everything.' The blackout challenge involves choking oneself, which deprives the brain of oxygen and can result in brain damage or death. The Independent reported in 2022 that at least 20 deaths had been linked to the challenge within 18 months, with 15 of the victims being 12 or younger. 'Sebastian was only 12 years old. A boy full of dreams, passion, and incredible talent. He taught himself to play the guitar and keyboard, and he loved to draw. Always smiling, kind, and full of joy — everyone who met him was touched by his gentle spirit,' the GoFundMe stated. "He had loving parents who did everything they could to give him a safe and happy childhood. They would have given him the stars. Sadly, one brief moment changed everything,' the campaign continued. "What happened is a tragedy beyond words. No parent should ever have to bury their child. No one should ever endure such heartbreak.' The organizer of the GoFundMe campaign — which has raised over more than $4,100 to support Sebastian's parents — also encouraged other parents to 'talk to your children about what they do online.' 'Ask what they watch, who they talk to, what inspires them. Be present. Don't assume: 'My child would never do that.' The online world can be as dangerous as the real one — sometimes even more so," she wrote. "Let [Sebastian's death] be a quiet call for awareness — a reminder to stay close, to talk more, to protect the ones we love. So that other children may live. So that no other parent has to experience this unimaginable pain," Czerniejewska added. "Sebastian will remain in our hearts forever." The 12-year-old's death comes just months after the parents of four British teenagers filed a lawsuit in the U.S. against TikTok over the deaths of their children, alleging that their deaths occurred because of the blackout challenge. According to The Guardian, the lawsuit, filed in February, claimed Isaac Kenevan, 13, Archie Battersbee, 12, Julian "Jools" Sweeney, 14, and Maia Walsh, 13, died in 2022 while attempting the challenge. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'TikTok's algorithm purposely targeted these children with dangerous content to increase their engagement time on the platform and drive revenue. It was a clear and deliberate business decision by TikTok that cost these four children their lives," an attorney from the Social Media Victims Law Center said at the time. TikTok previously said that searches for videos or hashtags related to the challenge have been blocked since 2020. The video platform's content guidelines state that it prohibits dangerous content or challenges, aims to remove them as soon as possible and directs users that search for this content to safety information and other resources. Read the original article on People
