Posted For: Layla Godey
A 9-year-old girl in Texas has died after attempting a dangerous social media stunt known as the “blackout challenge,” prompting her family to warn other parents about the risks children face online.
JackLynn Blackwell died on February 3 at her family’s home in Stephenville after accidentally choking herself while trying the challenge, according to reports from CBS News.
Her father, Curtis Blackwell, recalled the moment he realized something was wrong. JackLynn had gone outside to play in the yard, something she did often. After a short time, the quiet outside caught his attention.
When he went to check on her, he initially thought she was simply bent over playing near the carport, an area where she frequently spent time. As he got closer, he realized she was not moving. JackLynn was found unresponsive with a cord around her neck.
Curtis Blackwell said he immediately tried to help his daughter. He removed the cord and attempted CPR while waiting for emergency responders to arrive. He described the experience as the most frightening and shocking moment of his life.
The tragedy happened after JackLynn had shown her grandmother a video related to the blackout challenge. The online trend encourages children and teenagers to record themselves restricting their breathing until they lose consciousness or feel a brief euphoric sensation.
Her father said seeing his daughter in such a vulnerable situation because of an online trend was deeply painful.
Following their daughter’s death, JackLynn’s parents are criticizing social media companies for allowing content related to the challenge to spread online. Curtis Blackwell emphasized that the trend is not harmless entertainment.
He said many of the children participating in the challenge are between the ages of 9 and 14, an age when they may be especially vulnerable to influence because their brains are still developing.
According to data cited by CBS from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 80 children have died in connection with the challenge.
Some social media platforms have reportedly begun blocking related videos or displaying warning messages when users search for terms connected to the trend. However, JackLynn’s parents say those measures come too late for their family.
Curtis Blackwell also warned about how quickly harmful content can appear online. He explained that a child may start by watching innocent videos, but recommendation algorithms can quickly lead them to much darker material.
He believes the number of young lives lost should lead to greater accountability for the companies hosting such content.