LANCASTER, UK – An 11-year-old boy tragically passed away from cardiac arrest after participating in a dangerous TikTok challenge known as “chroming,” according to his family. Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington was found unresponsive at a friend’s house on March 2 and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Chroming involves inhaling aerosol paint and other chemical products in an attempt to get high. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center warns that the practice can have severe consequences, including hallucinations, impulsive behavior, brain dysfunction, and even sudden death. It is sometimes referred to as “huffing.”
The grieving grandmother of the young boy, Tina Burns, lamented his loss and called on social media companies to take more responsibility. She expressed her family’s devastation, saying, “He had a heart of gold just like his dad. Our family is utterly devastated.”
These dangerous challenges have been a cause for concern worldwide. The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia has outlined the numerous health risks associated with chroming, including depression, lack of coordination, seizures, and shortness of breath.
Statistics from a 2017 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration revealed that hundreds of thousands of adolescents engaged in inhaling toxic chemicals in 2015. The report indicated that inhalant use typically decreases with age.
The tragedy has sparked renewed conversation about the role of social media platforms in safeguarding their users, particularly young and impressionable individuals. Tina Burns emphasized the need for action, stating, “We don’t want any other children to follow TikTok or be on social media.”
As the incident serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers that can arise from online challenges, it highlights the importance of parental awareness and education on the potential risks associated with various social media trends.
The family’s plea for social media companies to do more raises questions about the responsibility of these platforms to ensure the safety and well-being of their users. The tragedy serves as a tragic example of the potential consequences that may come from participating in dangerous internet trends.
Authorities and experts continue to urge parents to maintain open communication with their children and monitor their social media activity, being vigilant about the content they consume and the challenges they may encounter.