A UK man has been arrested following the death of an 11-year-old boy who participated in a dangerous TikTok challenge. The incident, which occurred during a sleepover in March, has prompted calls for increased parental vigilance regarding children’s online behavior.
Tommy-lee Gracie Billington died after attempting a TikTok challenge called “chroming,” which involves inhaling toxic chemicals to achieve a high. The boy lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital, where he later died of cardiac arrest. His death has shocked the community and raised serious concerns about the influence of social media on children.
Lancashire Police arrested a 25-year-old man from Lancaster on suspicion of multiple charges, including child cruelty, neglect, possession with intent to supply a drug, and money laundering. The man has been released on bail while the investigation is ongoing. Additionally, a 35-year-old woman was voluntarily questioned regarding possession with intent to supply.
Billington’s grandmother, Tina Burns, spoke out about the tragedy, highlighting the family’s grief and urging other parents to be aware of the dangers their children might face online. “He had a heart of gold just like his dad. Our family is utterly devastated,” Burns said. She shared that the family has received numerous messages from parents who were thankful to learn about the risks associated with social media challenges.
Sherri, Billington’s mother, also posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, emphasizing the need for awareness and education about these dangerous trends. “As much as I hate talking about it, I need to raise awareness of what kids are trying nowadays,” she wrote. “It is beyond me why anyone would even try this. It’s so dangerous.” She urged parents to discuss the potential consequences with their children.
TikTok has responded by removing content promoting chroming and similar challenges from its platform. However, this tragic incident underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and communication between parents and children regarding the potential hazards of social media.
