Boy, 12, dies after trying dangerous social media “Blackout Challenge”

A 12-year-old boy has died-and a gofundme page set up by a beloved claims that his death came from a dangerous challenge on social media called “Blackout Challenge.”

West Yorkshire police announced that a boy died in Castleford, England, Friday 27 June, according to the local outlet Yorkshire live.

“The police were called by ambulance colleagues to an address in Manor Grove, Castleford, at 18:06 (June 27) after reports of concern for a child’s safety,” police told us in a statement.

“Officers attended the scene and the boy was taken to hospital where it was later confirmed that he had died. Inquires are ongoing on behalf of West Yorkshire Coroner to determine exactly what happened,” the statement continued. “The incident is not treated as suspicious.”

On one Gofundme The campaign started shortly after the incident, the collection organizer Agnieszka Czerniejewska simply identified the boy as Sebastian and wrote that “a dangerous internet challenge took his life.”

“Sebastian lost her life because of an online challenge,” she continued, referring specifically to Blackout Challenge before mentioning her family. “His parents gave him all the love and care in the world – but that a moment online changed everything.”

Blackout Challenge involves stifling itself, which robs the brain of oxygen and can result in brain damage or death. The Independent Reported in 2022 that at least 20 deaths had been linked to the challenge within 18 months, with 15 of the victims was 12 years or younger.

“Sebastian was only 12 years old. A boy full of dreams, passion and incredible talent. He taught himself to play guitar and keyboard, and he loved to draw. Always smiling, kind and full of joy – everyone who met him was touched by his gentle spirit,” pronounced gofundme.

“He had loving parents who did everything they could to give him a safe and happy childhood. They would have given him the stars. Unfortunately, for a brief moment everything changed,” the campaign continued. “What happened is a tragedy beyond words. No parent should ever have to bury their child. No one should ever withstand such heart damage.”

The organizer of the Gofundme campaign – who has collected more than $ 4,100 to support Sebastian’s parents – also encouraged other parents to “talk to your children about what they do online.”

“Ask what they are looking at, who they are talking to, what inspires them. Be present. Don’t suppose:” My child would never do it. “The online world can be as dangerous as the real – sometimes even more,” she wrote.

“Let (Sebastian’s death) be a silent call to awareness – a reminder to stay close, to talk more, to protect those we love. So that other children can live. So no other parent must experience this unthinkable pain,” added Czerniejew. “Sebastian will stay in our hearts forever.”

The 12-year-old’s death comes just a few months after the parents of four British teenagers filed a case in the United States against Tiktok during their children’s death, claiming that their deaths occurred because of the Blackout challenge.

According to The custodianThe In the mood, which was submitted in February, Isaac Kenevan, 13, Archie Battersbee, claimed 12, Julian “Jools” Sweeney, 14 and Maia Walsh, 13, died in 2022 while he tried the challenge.

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“Tiktok’s algorithm intentionally directed these children with dangerous content to increase their commitment to the platform and drive revenue. It was a clear and intentional business decision by Tiktok that cost these four children their lives,” said a lawyer from Social Media Victims Law Center at that time.

TikTok previously said that searches for videos or hashtags related to the challenge have been blocked since 2020. The content guidelines of the video platform State that it prohibits dangerous content or challenges, aims to remove them as soon as possible and leads users who search for this content to security information and other resources.