An 11-year-old boy from Lancaster, England, Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington, tragically lost his life due to a dangerous social media challenge dubbed “chroming.” The incident happened at a sleepover at a friend’s house where he suffered a suspected heart attack after inhaling harmful chemicals on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
“Chroming” involves inhaling vapors from commonly used household items, such as aerosol sprays, nail polish removers, and cleaning products, to achieve a euphoric feeling. This trend has been recognized for its serious health consequences, which include brain damage, suffocation, and heart attack risks. The trend’s rise in popularity on social media has been associated with the tragic deaths of young people worldwide.
Tina Burns, Tommie-Lee’s grandmother, expressed profound sorrow and called for substantial actions against TikTok and limiting the access of children under 16 to social media platforms.
This incident has fueled a wider debate about the responsibility of social media companies to protect their users. A hearing in January saw executives from major social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, questioned by the US Senate Judiciary Committee. The discussion focused on the existence of dangerous trends on their platforms, leading to legislative support for the “Kids Online Safety Act.” The act aims to compel social media companies to actively work towards minimizing hazardous and exploitative activities on their platforms.
The prevalence of “chroming” underscores the easy access young people have to potentially harmful substances and the role social media plays in promoting risky behavior. Health experts and authorities encourage parents and guardians to have open conversations with their children about the dangers of such social media challenges.
In the United States, recent legislative efforts have aimed to regulate the use of social media by minors, including implementing age verification and the introduction of child-friendly versions of platforms. These initiatives demonstrate a growing awareness of the harmful effects of social media on the mental and physical health of youth. However, the efficacy of these measures in reducing the occurrence of harmful online challenges is still under evaluation.
The Billington family and others who have suffered similar losses are advocating for more stringent regulations on social media use among children.
