Parents sue TikTok after the death of two children due to blackout challenge

In the United States, two children died last year after doing the blackout challenge, a life-threatening trend on TikTok. Girls’ parents have sued the app.

That reports the New York Times†

blackout challenge

8-year-old Lalani and 9-year-old Arriani are said to have died last year after doing the blackout challenge, in which you are challenged to hold your breath for as long as possible. Sometimes even until you pass out. Lalani’s parents found out that their daughter was taking part in the challenge when they saw bruises on her neck. According to the parents’ lawyers, Lalani did not understand the dangerous consequences. Arriani was warned by her parents about the blackout challenge after a young TikTok user was killed. A month later, the same fate befell her.

Also read: Children and the internet: these are the pitfalls according to an expert

TikTok sued

Lalani and Arriani’s parents have sued TikTok for showing the challenge “repeatedly and deliberately” to children and thereby encouraging them to participate. “TikTok must be held accountable because it caused these two girls to die,” said one of the lawyers. According to them, the app would prioritize profit over the health and safety of its users. Earlier this year, TikTok was also sued after a 10-year-old girl died after taking the blackout challenge. The app then announced that the challenge was already going around before TikTok existed.

While it can be difficult to see everything your child is doing online, there are a number of ways to keep an eye on things. We list them.

Source: NU.nl, HLN.be

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