What is the Blackout Challenge? Dangerous social media trend takes children’s lives

The blackout challenge has resurfaced on social media, and users are now warning people to not participate in the viral trend.

When it comes to social media, trends are king. From spawning dances to songs and even recipes for baked feta pasta, social media apps are a huge part of getting things to go viral.

However, some of these challenges are better left alone as they are deemed too dangerous. One example is the blackout challenge, a life-threatening challenge that has taken the lives of several kids.

What is the Blackout Challenge?

The ‘Blackout Challenge’ dares users to see how long they can hold their breath before passing out.

Although the trend has garnered popularity on social media apps like TikTok, this challenge has been around for quite some time. Studies report that between 1995 – 2007, 82 children were fatally injured after trying the dare.

For one Pennsylvanian mother, this challenge resulted in the tragic passing of her 10-year-old daughter, Nylah Anderson — and she wants to warn other parents about the dangers the challenge can pose for kids.

“Make sure you’re checking your kids’ phones,” she said. “Just pay attention, because you never know what you might find.”

Licensed clinical social worker Elizabeth Wood claimed that Nylah was in her bedroom when she tried the challenge. “No one was in the bedroom with her when this happened, so there was no one there to save her.”

Nylah’s family rushed her to the hospital, but she did not survive.

This is far from the first time the Blackout Challenge has taken a young life. In July 2021, a 12-year-old boy passed away after attempting the challenge, while in February, the Italian government blocked access to the app after the death of a 10-year-old girl was linked to the dare.

The CDC has shared warning signs that can hint if someone is attempting the challenge, which include “bloodshot eyes,” “marks on the neck,” and “severe headaches.”

TikTok responds to Blackout Challenge

TikTok has made efforts to prevent users from taking part in the trend. After searching for “blackout challenge” on the app, they are met with a message that says: “Learn how to recognize harmful challenges and hoaxes.”

“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,” a TikTok spokesperson said in response to this latest tragedy.

“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.”

However, parents of young users are urging TikTok to do more, as they believe the app ‘puts children in danger’ by not removing the videos about these trends permanently.

To learn more about some of the most harmful challenges that have come from TikTok, check out our guide about the most controversial viral trends.