The blackout challenge“, also know as blackout challenge in English, raises concern for parents around the world. First there was the death of a 12-year-old boy in the UK in mid-2022: Archie Battersbee participated in a viral challenge and ended up brain dead caused by suffocation. In recent days, meanwhile, a girl of the same age died in Argentina, also due to the viral challenge.
What is the “blackout challenge”? It has been circulating on social networks for several years but with the irruption of Tik Tok regained strength. The challenge implies hold your breath until you pass out and then share the experience on the networks.
Some users help with items such as shoelaces, beltsamong other things that help them take their breath away.
The cases of children from the United Kingdom and Argentina are not the only ones, tragedies of this type were also recorded in 2021, when two other minors died after participating in the viral challenge.
That year in Italy a 10-year-old girl died of suffocation after putting a belt around her neck, while another 12-year-old boy suffered the same outcome in Chile. In the latter case he was found in his room with a timer next to him.
The Argentine case of blackout challenge
The death of the Argentine girl who participated in the challenge caused a commotion in Capitán Bermúdez, a town in Santa Fe. According to La Nación, the girl’s aunt, Laura Luque, referred to the death of her niece on Facebook and alerted parents about the dangerous game circulating on social networks.
“Hello everyone. My name is Lali. I am making what I am living public. This is Milagros, my niece, who lost her life today doing a Tik Tok challenge. Please, I ask you to share. My family and I have no consolation “, wrote.
