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Topics: Parenting, Real Life, True Life, Social Media, US News
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Parenting, Real Life, True Life, Social Media, US News
Two Texas parents of a nine-year-old girl have shared a warning after she tragically died doing a social media 'challenge'.
Curtis and Wendi Blackwell’s daughter, JackLynn, died last month (3 February) after taking part in the so-called 'blackout' or 'choking' challenge, which dares children to hold their breath until they pass out from lack of oxygen.
Curtis said JackLynn, whose obituary described her as a child who loved singing, dancing, dressing up, crafts, drawing, painting, puzzles, bike rides, and spending time with her family, had shown her grandmother a video of the challenge beforehand.
"Don't you ever do that," the grandma warned her, according to CBS News.
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Wendi described that morning as 'normal' with Curtis recalling that JackLynn went out to play before school, when he noticed it was 'quieter than it should've been'.
He went to the carport where she 'always' played and spotted her hair. At first, he thought she was 'bending over playing,' but then realised she was 'unconscious' with a cord around her neck. "She was leaned into the cord," Curtis explained.
He said he 'tried to do everything' to save her, adding: "I got her off the cord. I tried to give her CPR until the first responders got there.
"It was the most terrifying, shocking thing I've ever seen. It was horrible to see my daughter in such a vulnerable state because of something so senseless."
He added that he will 'never forget that day,' saying: "That'll replay in my head for the rest of my life."
More than a month on, the family are urging others to take the risks of online trends seriously.
"It's not a joke, it's not a game, it's life and death, " Curtis said. "Even if it saves one life, that life means a lot."
He also warned about how quickly online content can shift.
"You could check on your kid, it could be kid-friendly videos, and then three minutes later it could be totally something dark because of the algorithms they start creating," he told CBS News. He said many of the children involved are aged between nine and 14, warning: "Their brains aren't fully developed, and they are very easily influenced."
Speaking to The Dublin Citizen, Curtis said one of JackLynn’s friends told them she 'didn’t even know little kids could die'.
"Something like that makes me think that’s why these kids do all these things they see cause in their mind—they think they can’t die from it," he said. "These videos don’t give warnings of what could happen, so kids think it’s okay."
He urged parents not to assume it could never happen to their family, saying they 'never in a million years thought this could ever happen to us and look where we’re at now'.
"These platforms that target our young kids need to be held accountable. Our kids need people to advocate for them against this stuff," the grieving father added.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.