A 13-year-old dies after participating in a Benadryl TikTok 'challenge'

In a tragic turn of events, a 13-year-old boy from Ohio has died after reportedly participating in a dangerous TikTok ‘challenge’ that involved ingesting a large quantity of the over-the-counter medication, Benadryl. The news of the incident was confirmed by a CNN affiliate and a GoFundMe account set up by the boy’s family.

The alleged ‘Benadryl Challenge’ circulating on the popular social media platform, TikTok, encourages participants to consume excessive amounts of the antihistamine to induce hallucinations. The boy, whose identity has not been released, reportedly “took a bunch of Benadryl,” leading to a fatal overdose.

The death of the Ohio teen has reignited concerns about the influence of social media on young people and the dangerous trends that can go viral on these platforms.

Benadryl, whose active ingredient is diphenhydramine, is a common medication used to treat allergies, hay fever, and the common cold. While generally safe in recommended doses, excessive intake can cause serious side effects such as abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, coma, and even death.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had previously issued a warning about the ‘Benadryl Challenge’ in September 2020, after reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the challenge. The FDA also urged TikTok to remove videos promoting the dangerous ‘challenge’.

The boy’s family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expenses and to raise awareness about the dangers of such online challenges. On the page, they wrote, “We are devastated that our beloved son is gone and our lives will never be the same. We hope that his story will serve as a stark reminder of the real dangers of social media challenges, and prevent this from happening to another family.”

Despite the FDA’s warnings and efforts to curb the trend, the ‘Benadryl Challenge’ videos have continued to circulate on TikTok, highlighting the struggle of effectively controlling content on social media platforms.

The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for social media platforms to take stronger action against harmful content. Critics argue that while platforms like TikTok have made efforts to moderate content, their current measures are insufficient in preventing the spread of dangerous trends like the ‘Benadryl Challenge’.

In a statement, TikTok said, “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the young man. The safety of our users is our top priority and we do not allow content that encourages, promotes, or glorifies dangerous challenges that might lead to injury. We are aware of this incident and are working to remove content of this type from our platform.”

The incident comes as a stark reminder of the critical role parents, educators, and society at large have in monitoring and discussing internet use and social media trends with young people. As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial that we equip our youth with the skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

As the bereaved family mourns the loss of their son, they hope that his tragic story will serve as a wake-up call to other families and prompt stricter controls on social media content. They also urge parents to discuss the dangers of online challenges with their children and monitor their online activity to prevent such tragedies from repeating.

The boy’s death serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers lurking on social media, reinforcing the urgent need for more stringent regulations, enhanced digital education, and open dialogues about responsible online behavior. This unfortunate incident underscores the importance of vigilance, education, and open communication in our increasingly digital age.