Chroming has become a recent viral trend on social media, but for all the wrong reasons. According to reports, numerous young teenagers from various parts of the globe have tragically lost their lives due to participating in this dangerous trend.
A new drug trend is gaining traction among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, causing concern for parents – and with good reason.
The dangerous “chroming”trend on TikTok has claimed the lives of multiple young users who were exposed to it through a viral trend on the platform.
Esra Haynes, a 13-year-old student from Melbourne, Australia, was one of the victims. She tragically lost her life on 31 March 2023 at a sleepover, where she had participated in the TikTok trend and was exposed to chemicals. It is reported that Esra inhaled an aerosol deodorant, which is believed to have been the cause of her untimely death.
According to The Sun, Haynes suffered irreversible brain damage and went into cardiac arrest after taking part in the activity. She spent a week in the hospital before succumbing to her injuries.
Esra Haynes’ parents are now cautioning others about the dangers of chroming, a trend that has gained popularity on social media. During an interview on the Australian TV show ‘A Current Affair’, Paul Haynes stated, “If Esra had known the potential consequences, she would have never engaged in chroming. It is a deadly practice.”
Andrea Haynes emphasized the devastating ripple effect of not being able to bring her child home.
Contents
- Can you explain the chroming challenge on social media?
- What are the dangers of using chrome as a drug?
- Another teen dies as a possible result of TikTok “chroming” challenge
- TikTok responds to death of teen from supposed “chroming” challenge
- 11-year-old boy dies after allegedly attempting “chroming” challenge
- Man arrested in connection of 11-year-old’s death from TikTok “chroming” challenge
- 12-year-old girl hospitalized after allegedly attempting “chroming” challenge
The Chroming Challenge on Social Media
‘Chroming’ is a colloquial term that originated in Australia. It describes the practice of inhaling fumes from hazardous substances, including aerosol cans, spray deodorants, and paint containers.
@psych_nurse_insight The effects of chroming on the brain 🧠 #mentalhealthmatters #fyp #studentnurses #nurselife #nursesoftiktok #australiannursingstudent #dayinthelifenurse #healthcareworker #australiannurse #nurseknowledge #chroming #brainchanges
On TikTok, individuals participating in ‘chroming’ share videos using the slang term ‘WhipTok’, which refers to the non-medical use of nitrous oxide. This term has gained popularity on the platform, with over 546.3 million views under the hashtag ‘Whiptok’.
According to the National Retail Association in Australia, the term “chroming”has evolved to encompass a broader range of inhalant substance abuse. However, it was originally used to describe the act of inhaling chrome-based paint for recreational purposes. This dangerous behavior involves the inhalation of various toxic chemicals, including aerosol cans, paint, solvents, permanent markers, nail polish remover, hairspray, deodorants, lighter fluid, glue, cleaning supplies, nitrous oxide, and gasoline.
The Dangers of Chroming
Inhaling toxic substances to create a temporary high is known as chroming. This practice produces effects similar to those of alcohol.
Despite the potential for deadly side effects, the activity can also lead to serious consequences such as heart attack, seizures, suffocation, coma, choking, or fatal injury, and may result in permanent organ damage.
According to the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research, prolonged use of the substance can result in cognitive impairment, which may include difficulty concentrating, memory loss, impaired judgment, and a decrease in IQ.
Another Teen Dies as a Possible Result of TikTok Chroming Challenge
In September 2023, Irish authorities opened an investigation into the death of 14-year-old Sarah Mescall, which may have been linked to the TikTok trend known as “chroming.”Tragically, another teen has lost their life due to this dangerous fad.
According to sources from the Irish Independent, Sarah Mescall tragically passed away on September 25 after being admitted to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin. It is believed that she collapsed after participating in the “chroming”challenge and briefly regained consciousness to inform her mother before fainting again.
Mescall was subsequently put under a medically-induced coma and eventually passed away due to her injuries.
TikTok Responds to Death of Teen from Supposed “Chroming” Challenge
TikTok responded to Mescall’s death by releasing a statement, in which they stated that content of this nature is not allowed on their platform and would be promptly removed if discovered.
“Our commitment to safeguarding and supporting our community remains unchanged. We will continue to collaborate with knowledgeable partners and offer safety resources to those in need.”
11-Year-Old Boy Dies After Allegedly Attempting Chroming Challenge
It was reported on March 6, 2024 that an 11-year-old boy had also passed away after attempting the “chroming”challenge during a sleepover with his friends.
According to officials, the boy was discovered unresponsive at the scene and was subsequently declared deceased at the hospital.
The grandmother of the boy gave a statement to local news, expressing her desire for TikTok to be banned permanently in order to prevent any further tragedies.
“Our goal is to have TikTok removed and to prohibit anyone under the age of 16 from using any social media platform,”she asserted. “Although this situation is difficult for us, our main objective is to protect the lives of children and raise awareness among families to ensure the safety of their children.”
Man Arrested in Connection of 11-Year-Old’s Death from TikTok Chroming Challenge
In June 2024, Lancashire Police announced the arrest of a 25-year-old man on suspicion of “child cruelty, neglect, possession with intent to supply a drug, and money laundering”in relation to the death of Tommy-lee.
A 35-year-old woman was also interrogated for her suspected involvement in the distribution of drugs as part of the investigation.
12-year-old girl hospitalized after allegedly attempting chroming challenge
A 37-year-old mother in the United Kingdom is issuing a cautionary message to fellow parents after her 12-year-old daughter, Tiegan, allegedly participated in the “chroming”challenge that was circulating on social media in April 2024. According to the mother, Tiegan and her friend huffed “five or six cans”of spray-on deodorant during a sleepover.
Mikayla Solomon, the mother, took her daughter to the emergency room upon noticing concerning symptoms of “dizziness and heart palpitations.”
Despite being given a clean bill of health, Tiegan started experiencing additional symptoms such as “severe diarrhea, sulfuric burps, and a feeling of slowed down motion,”according to the New York Post’s report on the viral chroming challenge.
Despite going back to the emergency room for additional testing, Solomon’s daughter continued to throw up for two weeks. However, all reports came back negative. Solomon is now sharing her experience as a cautionary tale for other parents, highlighting the potential negative effects of social media on young children.
“Mikayla emphasized the importance of parents being aware of the dangers involved. She urged parents to have their child checked if they suspect they have engaged in this behavior, as it can have lasting effects.”
Despite TikTok’s efforts to prevent the spread of dangerous trends, there are still many other viral trends on the platform that pose a risk. While some hashtags have been removed to limit their growth, it is not always sufficient. Here is a compilation of some of the most controversial and hazardous trends that have surfaced on TikTok.
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