In recent years, social media has given rise to many trends that captivate teenagers around the world. While many of these trends are harmless and fun, some raise serious concerns about the safety and well-being of adolescents. One such trend is the Chroming Challenge, which has gone viral on TikTok and has already led to several deaths. Here’s what you need to know about this dangerous trend and how to protect your children from its influence
Little Tommy-Lee Billington from the UK was just 11 years old when he died from cardiac arrest in early March 2024. The cause: he attempted to participate in the viral Chroming Challenge on TikTok with his friend. Despite doctors’ best efforts, nothing could revive him.
Similarly, 13-year-old Australian Esra Haynes died after taking part in the challenge in March 2023. She was staying overnight at a friend’s house and inhaled from a deodorant canister. Esra’s heart stopped, and her brain suffered severe damage. Her family removed her from life support eight days later.
In September of last year, 14-year-old Sarah Mescall from County Clare, Ireland, also died after participating in the TikTok trend. These are just a few of the cases that have been reported in the media.
While TikTok has banned search results for “chroming challenge,” videos related to chroming continue to surface.
What is chroming?
Chroming involves inhaling dangerous chemicals (inhalants) like nail polish remover, deodorant, paint thinner, permanent markers, hairspray, and more. Inhaling these inhalants in concentrated forms can cause a short-lived euphoria. However, this practice is extremely dangerous and can result in dizziness, vomiting, brain damage, cardiac arrest, and death.
According to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research, the long-term effects of inhaling toxic substances can lead to memory loss, decreased IQ, and an inability to concentrate.
A known version of chroming involves inhaling “whippets,” also called “laughing gas” or “hippy crack.”
The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that as of 2023, around 564,000 teens aged 12 to 17 have used inhalants—an increase of 10,000 compared to 2022. Experts attribute the rise in popularity of these substances largely to social media.
A study presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference analyzed 109 TikTok videos mentioning chroming, which collectively received over 25 million views.
Many videos were also posted under the hashtag #WhipTok, connected to inhaling whippets containing nitrous oxide. Researchers found that most teens in these videos (31%) used permanent markers, 17% inhaled liquid gas, 12% nail polish, 11% paint thinner, gasoline, or aerosol deodorant, and 6% hairspray.
Whipped cream canisters were also commonly used as inhalants. Recently, Galaxy Gas stopped selling such canisters and issued a warning on their website about misuse.
Why is the Chroming Challenge so dangerous, and what can be done?
The risks associated with inhaling toxic substances are clear. But what makes the challenge itself so dangerous?
1. Accessibility of substances. The challenge involves using products that can easily be found in any household.
2. Virality among teens. The popularity of the Chroming Challenge on TikTok encourages teenagers to participate without fully understanding the risks.
3.Trivialization of danger. The challenge is portrayed in a way that makes inhaling deodorant or hairspray seem safe, distorting the perception of real dangers.
What measures can be taken to counter this deadly trend?
Since the substances used for chroming are easily accessible, reducing the risks is challenging. However, some steps can be taken:
1. Ask questions. If you notice your child has purchased hairspray or deodorant but isn’t using them or if household chemicals are missing, ask about it.
2. Monitor social media usage. Make sure your child is shielded from harmful influences on TikTok and is aware of the dangers of participating in questionable challenges.
3. Raise awareness. Schools, parents, and communities must be informed about the risks associated with these trends and actively engage with young people to warn them about the dangers. Children need to understand that inhaling chemicals can result in severe health consequences or death.
Stricter regulation of social media is another obvious measure. Platforms like TikTok must act more responsibly and remove content promoting dangerous behavior. In the U.S., there’s even a possibility that TikTok may face a complete ban.
The U.S. government vs. TikTok
Social media usage among teens is almost universal in the U.S. and many other parts of the world. Nearly all teenagers aged 13 to 17 in the U.S. use it, with about one-third being online “almost constantly,” according to Pew Research Center.
TikTok, however, has long been a target of suspicion and dissatisfaction among U.S. authorities. On Tuesday, October 8, it was reported that more than a dozen states and the District of Columbia had filed lawsuits against the platform, alleging that the app is designed to be addictive for children and harmful to their mental health.
These lawsuits are part of a national investigation into TikTok that began in March 2022, led by a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general, including those from California, Kentucky, and New Jersey. The complaints have been filed in state courts.
The lawsuits argue that the platform’s algorithm and design features make children dependent on TikTok, through mechanisms like endless content scrolling, push notifications, and filters that create idealized, unrealistic appearances.
“They’ve chosen profit over the health and safety, well-being and future of our children,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said at a news conference in San Francisco. “And that is not something we can accept. So we’ve sued.”
TikTok faces an even greater challenge, as its very existence in the U.S. is in jeopardy. A federal law passed earlier this year could lead to a ban on TikTok in the U.S. by mid-January unless its parent company ByteDance, based in China, sells the platform by that time. Both TikTok and ByteDance are currently appealing the law in a Washington D.C. court.
