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, alleged 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] The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed Diamond on August 26, 2024, holding that the protections afforded by the Communications Decency Act and Section 230 do not apply to the algorithms used by social media.[17]

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.
  17. https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/tiktok-blackout-challenge-federal-court-ruling-20240828.html

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