11-year-old Tommie-Lee Billington died after he participated in the “chroming” challenge, which was a social media activity that involved inhaling toxic substances.
According to authorities, Billington was found unresponsive at his friend’s sleepover.
The incident is also referred to as “huffing,” which occurs when people get high from inhaling toxic fumes.
The harmful effects of inhaling such chemicals can range from dizziness and slurred speech to death.
After going to the hospital, the boy later died. His grandmother, Tina Burns, said that the boy and his friends had participated in the “TikTok” challenge, which started as a TikTok craze.
According to Burns, the hospital tried to revive the boy but failed.
Tommie was described by his grandmother as a kind and loving boy who had a heart of Gold.
The tragic incident has led to the deaths of numerous teens globally. Tommie’s family has requested that the social media platform be shut down.
On Thursday, a congressional committee advanced a bill that would prevent individuals from using the platform, which is linked to China, from accessing certain types of devices in the United States.
The company that owns TikTok will have to sell the app within 165 days if the bill is approved.
Since the death of Tommie is being investigated as an unexplained incident, a GoFundMe page was established to help the family.
The page also stated that donations can be used to help pay for a memorial or headstone.
