An 11-year-old boy from Lancaster, England, named Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington, tragically lost his life after partaking in a dangerous social media challenge known as “chroming.” The fatal incident took place during a sleepover at a friend’s house where Billington suffered a suspected cardiac arrest on Saturday, March 2, 2024, due to inhalation of harmful chemicals. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, medical professionals were unable to resuscitate him.
The act of “chroming” involves inhaling vapors from common household items like aerosol sprays, nail polish removers, and cleaning agents to achieve a euphoric sensation. This behavior has been flagged for its serious health consequences, which include potential brain damage, suffocation, and cardiac arrest. Its growing presence on social media platforms has been associated with the tragic deaths of young individuals worldwide.
Tina Burns, Tommie-Lee’s grandmother, expressed profound grief and anger, demanding substantial action against TikTok and a restriction on social media access for children under the age of 16.
The incident has intensified discussions regarding the responsibility of social media companies to protect their users. A hearing in January saw top executives from major social media giants, including Facebook and TikTok, questioned by the US Senate Judiciary Committee. The conversation focused on the dangerous trends circulating on their platforms, fueling legislative momentum for the “Kids Online Safety Act” that seeks to compel these companies to more robustly counter harmful and exploitative behaviors on their platforms.
The rising trend of chroming underscores both the easy access young people have to potentially dangerous substances and the amplifying role social media plays in promoting risky behaviors. Health professionals and authorities are encouraging parents to have open conversations with their children about the dangers of such social media challenges.
In the United States, recent legislative efforts are striving to regulate minors’ use of social media. These efforts include measures such as age verification and the introduction of child-friendly versions of these platforms. Such initiatives reflect a growing awareness of the detrimental effects of social media on the mental and physical health of young people. However, the efficacy of these measures in curbing the spread of dangerous online challenges is still under evaluation.
The Billington family, along with others who have suffered similar losses, are campaigning for stricter regulations on children’s use of social media.