The family of a young girl who died after attempting an online trend is urging other parents to be vigilant.
Nine-year-old JackLynn Blackwell died on February 3 after taking part in what’s known as the blackout or “choking” challenge, where participants deliberately deprive themselves of oxygen until they lose consciousness.
Her parents, Curtis and Wendi Blackwell, said the day began like any other. JackLynn was outside playing before school, but Curtis became concerned when the yard became “quieter than it should’ve been”.
He went to the spot where she “always” played and noticed her hair first. At a glance he believed she was “bending over playing”, but quickly realised she was actually “unconscious”.
Her father said he immediately began CPR and continued until emergency crews arrived.
“It was the most terrifying, shocking thing I’ve ever seen,” he told CBS Texas. “It was horrible to see my daughter in such a vulnerable state because of something so senseless.”
He continued: “That’ll replay in my head for the rest of my life.”
Now, JackLynn’s parents are speaking out to warn others about the blackout challenge, which has also been associated with other deaths involving children.
“It’s not a joke, it’s not a game, it’s life and death,” Curtis warned. “Even if it saves one life, that life means a lot.”
He added that many children who encounter or attempt the trend are between nine and 14 years old. “You could check on your kid, it could be kid-friendly videos, and then three minutes later it could be totally something dark because of the algorithms they start creating,” he told CBS News.
The challenge typically involves restricting airflow by holding one’s breath or using everyday items such as ropes, belts, or string until the person faints, with some participants uploading videos of the outcome to social media.
In 2022, The Independent reported that the trend had rapidly spread online, with many participants—often children—chasing an adrenaline rush as they regained consciousness.
The outlet also warned at the time that the blackout challenge had been linked to the deaths of at least 20 children in the prior 18 months, describing it as a continuation of “the choking game,” which has been connected to dozens of fatalities.
Cases tied to the blackout challenge have also been reported outside the US, including in the UK, where a 12-year-old boy was among those linked to the trend.