A Texas family is grieving their 9-year-old daughter who tragically died while attempting a dangerous social media trend. Now, they are sharing an urgent warning for other parents.
Phones offers a lot of benefits. Today, our loved ones are only a phone call away, entertainment is constantly accessible, and technology helps us in many aspects of our daily lives. But while phones, technology, and social media can be valuable, they can also be dangerous – especially for children.
That reality had devastating consequences for a family in Texas, where 9-year-old JackLynn died after engaging in a TikTok challenge.
Girl dies after “choking” challenge
Curtis and Wendi Blackwell’s daughter, JackLynn, took part in a trend on the widely used social media platform, known as the blackout, or “choking,” challenge. The day began like any other, with JackLynn playing outside before she was set to be dropped off at school. But before she had a chance to leave the house, the family’s lives were completely turned upside down.
The challenge dares participants to hold their breath long enough to pass out. Curtis told People he became concerned when JackLynn suddenly went quiet, prompting him to check on her near the carport.
“She was leaned into the cord,” he said, describing how he found his 9-year-old daughter unconscious with a cord around her neck. “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 said. “That’ll replay in my head for the rest of my life.”
Her grandmother had warned her
Before the incident, JackLynn had reportedly shown her grandmother a video of the challenge. Her grandmother responded: “Don’t you ever do that.”
Curtis and Wendi now want to warn others about the devastating consequences these trends can have.
“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.”
They are urging other parents to be aware of the harmful content children can encounter while scrolling on social media.
“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,” Curtis said.
“Their brains aren’t fully developed, and they are very easily influenced.”
“Our kids need people to advocate for them against this stuff”
After JackLynn’s death, one of her friends told the family she wasn’t aware “little kids could die,” something that deeply affected Curtis.
“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.
“[We] never in a million years thought this could ever happen to us and look where we’re at now,” he continued. “These platforms that target our young kids need to be held accountable. Our kids need people to advocate for them against this stuff.”
He described JackLynn as a “beautiful angel.”
“It was just the three of us, three amigos, we did everything together,” he said.
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