Tragically, a 12-year-old Argentinean girl lost her life this week while attempting the “choking challenge,” an activity originated on TikTok that has become notorious for its high fatality rate.
“We are inconsolable [because] we gave her so much love,” Laura Luque, aunt of the victim, recounted to Jam Press the heartbreaking tragedy that befell her niece on January 13 in Capitán Bermudez, Santa Fe Province.
Tragically, Milagros Soto’s body was discovered in her home after she supposedly participated in a lethal version of the trending “choking challenge” found on TikTok. According to El Litoral, there was a makeshift noose and evidence that suggested the young girl had indeed taken part in this dangerous fad.
The ‘blackout challenge’ is a dangerous Internet challenge that involves asphyxiating until you pass out. Its repercussions can range from dizziness and disorientation to potentially fatal medical conditions such as seizures, brain damage, and even death. Experts have cautioned against taking part in this trend of online notoriety-seeking – the risks simply aren’t worth it!
Tragically, Soto isn’t the first young individual to fall victim to this online hazard. Just over the summer, two British youths – Leon Brown and Archie Battersbee (ages 14 and 12 respectively) lost their lives as a result of attempting this viral trend.
After successfully completing the challenge twice, Soto regrettably failed to remove the noose on his third attempt as reported by Jam Press. “On the third occasion, she could not remove the rope from her neck,” Luque sorrowfully recounted the tragic incident, which was apparently recorded on video.
While Soto’s reason for participating in the risky challenge is still a mystery, her aunt said she was sent a link to it through WhatsApp shortly after being bullied at school.
“I believe someone encouraged her to do it,” the grieving family member vigorously stated. “She suffered a lot with bullying.”
Luque continued, “She told us no one wanted her at school because she was pretty with blond hair.”
Even after she had given an explanation, the little girl’s aunt insisted that she still held a grudge “many doubts about everything that happened to her” as “she was a very smart girl.”
To determine the cause of the preteen’s death, authorities have launched an investigation.
The small town was left in shock and sorrow upon learning of little Soto’s death.
“We support our student’s family in this terrible moment,” stated a spokesperson for School 223 Tte. Gral. Pablo Ricchieri, where the girl went to school. They honored the deceased with a tribute that stated “great student, friend, sweet, good and kind.”
In the United States, TikTok is facing devastating legal action after two girls from California tragically took their lives by participating in a “blackout challenge” shared on the platform.
“TikTok has invested billions of dollars to intentionally design and develop its product to encourage, enable and push content to teens and children that defendant knows to be problematic and highly detrimental to its minor users’ mental health,” the lawsuit states.
TikTok did not release a statement or comment. In the past, they have attempted to distance themselves from any blame for these injuries by asserting that “choking game” related injuries among young people existed prior to the blackout challenge.
TikTok users are urged to report any individual involved in the challenge by pressing on the “Report” button.
