Blackout challenge explained

The blackout challenge is an internet challenge based around the choking game, which deprives the brain of oxygen.[1] It gained widespread attention on TikTok in 2021, primarily among children.[2] It has been compared to other online challenges and hoaxes that have exclusively targeted a young audience.[3] It has been linked to the deaths of at least twenty children.[4]

Origin and spread

The concept of choking games has existed from before the popularisation of social media.[5] A 2008 CDC report identified 82 "probable choking-game deaths" between young people aged 6 to 19 between 1995 and 2007.[6]

Similar challenges

Time magazine reported in 2018 that social media platforms made information about the concept more widespread, leading more children to attempt it alone rather than with others.[7] In 2019, internet challenges that involved self-harm, such as the "Momo" and "Blue Whale" challenges, created widespread coverage online for allegedly encouraging children to attempt suicide.[8] [9] The Atlantic reported that both were ultimately hoaxes that used local news reporting and concerned online posts to spread the challenges, which never became prevalent online.[10]

Impact and lawsuits

The Washington Post reported that TikTok chose to block search results for the challenge and related terms, instead presenting a warning message.[11] The challenge has resulted in the deaths of between fifteen and twenty children.[1] Several lawsuits have been filed against TikTok for allegedly causing the deaths of children who have attempted it, though all have ended up in dismissals based on legal immunity.[12] [13] [14]

Paul Diamond, a district judge in Philadelphia, ruled that the company was immune from a lawsuit under the Communications Decency Act and Section 230, which prevents liability based on the work of others.[15] [16]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 2022-11-30 . TikTok's Viral Challenges Keep Luring Young Kids to Their Deaths . en . Bloomberg.com . 2023-02-23.
  2. Web site: 2022-07-07 . Explained: What is TikTok's deadly 'blackout challenge', blamed for the deaths of several young children? . 2023-02-23 . The Indian Express . en.
  3. Web site: Haasch . Palmer . 2021-07-21 . Police said a child died from a 'blackout challenge' found on TikTok, but the dangerous 'game' has circulated for years . 2023-02-22 . Insider.
  4. Web site: 2022-12-01 . TikTok's 'blackout' challenge linked to deaths of 20 children in 18 months – report . 2023-02-23 . The Independent . en.
  5. Michel . Grégory . Garcia . Mathieu . Aubron . Valérie . Bernadet . Sabrina . Salla . Julie . Purper-Ouakil . Diane . 2019-02-01 . Adolescent Mental Health and the Choking Game . 2023-02-22 . Pediatrics. 143 . 2 . 10.1542/peds.2017-3963 . 30835246 . 73510963 . free .
  6. Web site: Unintentional Strangulation Deaths from the "Choking Game" Among Youths Aged 6--19 Years --- United States, 1995--2007 . 2023-02-23 . www.cdc.gov.
  7. Chan . Melissa . 2018-03-12 . Kids Are Playing the 'Choking Game' to Get High. Instead, They're Dying . 2023-02-22 . Time.
  8. Web site: Adeane . Ant . 2019-01-13 . Blue Whale: What is the truth behind an online 'suicide challenge'? . 2023-02-22 . BBC.
  9. Web site: Sakuma . Amanda . 2019-03-03 . The bogus "Momo challenge" internet hoax, explained . 2023-02-23 . Vox . en.
  10. Web site: Lorenz . Taylor . 2019-02-28 . Momo Is Not Trying to Kill Children . 2023-02-23 . The Atlantic . en.
  11. Web site: Clark . Mitchell . 2022-07-08 . The TikTok 'blackout challenge' has now allegedly killed seven kids . 2023-02-23 . The Verge . en-US.
  12. News: Pierson . Brendan . 2022-10-27 . TikTok immune from lawsuit over girl's death from 'blackout challenge' -judge . en . Reuters . 2023-02-23.
  13. News: Paul . Kari . 2022-07-06 . Families sue TikTok after girls died while trying 'blackout challenge' . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-02-23 . 0261-3077.
  14. Web site: TikTok found not liable for death of 10-year-old girl who tried 'Blackout Challenge' she found on site . 2023-02-23 . Fortune . en.
  15. Web site: Quinn . Melissa . 2023-02-21 . Supreme Court hears case that could reshape the "fundamental architecture" of the internet . 2023-02-22 . CBS News.
  16. Web site: TikTok Beats Suit Saying 'Blackout Challenge' Caused Child Death . 2023-02-23 . news.bloomberglaw.com . en.

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