12-year-old boy dies after attempting dangerous ‘blackout challenge’ trend on TikTok
Online peer pressure and risky social media trends raise alarm after another young child loses his life
Sebastian, 12, from Castleford, England, died after reportedly attempting the ‘blackout challenge’ — a social media trend that encourages self-choking. His death follows similar cases and has renewed calls for parental awareness and online safety.
What should have been a joyful day — celebrating his younger brother’s First Holy Communion — ended in tragedy for the family of 12-year-old Sebastian. On Friday, June 27, the young boy was found unresponsive at home in Castleford. He later died in hospital.
His father, Marcin, believes Sebastian had attempted the “blackout challenge,” a dangerous trend circulating on platforms like TikTok. The challenge involves children choking themselves, often with a scarf or belt, to achieve a temporary high caused by oxygen deprivation.
Police confirmed the boy’s death is not being treated as suspicious. Investigations are ongoing on behalf of the West Yorkshire Coroner.
“He was full of dreams and kindness”
A GoFundMe campaign set up by family friends offers a glimpse of the boy behind the headlines. Sebastian is remembered as a talented and kind child who taught himself guitar and keyboard and loved to draw.
“Always smiling, kind, and full of joy,” the tribute reads. “He had loving parents who did everything they could to give him a safe and happy childhood.”
The fundraiser is helping to cover funeral costs, provide therapy for Sebastian’s grieving parents, and support them during time away from work.
But its message is broader: a call to parents to be vigilant, talk to their children, and stay aware of what’s happening online.
Sebastian’s death is not an isolated case. Earlier this year, 13-year-old Nnamdi Glenn Ohaeri Jr. from California also died after attempting the same challenge. Despite strict parental controls, his family suspects he learned about it from peers at school.
“We talk about drugs and other dangers, but we don’t talk about not following social media trends,” Nnamdi’s father said in an interview.
The so-called “blackout challenge” first gained attention in 2021 and has since been linked to dozens of child deaths. A 2022 report connected the trend to at least 20 fatalities globally, with many victims aged 12 or younger.
Ongoing legal battle with TikTok
In the U.S., several families have launched a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the company of promoting harmful content through its recommendation algorithm. The suit alleges that children who died after attempting the blackout challenge were exposed to it repeatedly by the platform’s design.
TikTok says it has blocked searches for the challenge since 2020 and that it removes harmful content. The platform claims to redirect users to safety resources when related terms are searched.
A message to parents
As Sebastian’s family grieves, their message is clear: awareness can save lives.
“Let it be a quiet call for awareness,” reads the GoFundMe page. “So that no other parent has to experience this unimaginable pain.”
Parents are urged to check in with their children regularly — to ask what they’re watching, who they’re talking to, and what online trends they follow.
