Blackout challenge

The Blackout challenge is an internet challenge based around a choking game, intending to restrict breathing for a set duration of time.[1] It gained widespread notoriety 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 numerous deaths of children.[4]

Origin and spread

Choking games existed before the widespread use 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.[3][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 commit 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 has reported that TikTok ultimately ended up blocking 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][4] 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, has 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

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