The cases of kids and teenagers hurting themselves over participating in some online challenges have been increasing drastically since last few years. In a recent unfortunate incident a nine-year-old boy has lost his life after taking part in a TikTok challenge. The family has been devastated after losing their child and are speaking out regarding the dangers of the influence of these daring viral trends.
The nine-year-old victim of one of these dangerous challenges circulating online has been identified as LaTerius Smith Jr. who used to live with his parents in Tennessee. As per to the reports, the boy has died while taking part in a strangulation challenge that has been viral and is circulating over TikTok, according to parents claims. Smith Jr. was found unconscious lying on the floor with a belt around his neck. When the family found him in such a condition, he was completely unresponsive after which he was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately he couldn’t survive this incident and was pronounced dead. The child’s family is accusing TikTok for their loss and are spreading the awareness among other parents and kids to avoid such kind of challenges that are hazardous for your life.
The strangulation challenge is quite similar to the blackout challenge that was circulating on TikTok last year and due to which two other kids have also lost their lives after participating. It is very unfortunate that small kids and teenagers are losing their lives over past few years just to try some challenge in such an early age. Recently, a girl named Destini Crane from Oregon was severely burned after taking part in the TikTok fire challenge in their home’s bathroom. The 13-year-old was rushed to the hospital and has been treated for multiple third-degree burns. Her parents also blamed TikTok challenge for their daughter critical condition and warned other parents as well to avoid such cases.
Barbara Williams, who is the great aunt of Smith Jr. spoke out to in a news interview and said that he died just because of these ‘stupid’ videos and challenges that are all available online, influencing kids to participate which usually ended up drastically. She said that they later realised that there is such kind of trend going on TikTok where they are challenging others to strangle themselves until they are unconscious.
Smith Jr.’s family is now in grief after losing their child and wants other parents to acknowledge danger behind such dangerous acts circulating online. They asked parents to look after their children and monitor them more in their free time to know what their kids are up to these days. The family also said that they know you can’t watch your kids 24 hours but whenever you get your time, talk to them and let them know about the danger of social media in order to save them from participating in such kind of dangerous challenges.
