What is known as the “blackout challenge” is trending again, and parents should be aware. Social media has taken over the lives of our children, and there cannot be any denying that. They go there for connection, to cure boredom, and to constantly seek out a chance to go viral. While there can be benefits to social media and technology, there are also some pretty alarming warnings that need to go out. Since parents know that their children are on websites and platforms, they need to be aware of what their children are doing and some “challenges” that are surfacing can be dangerous and even life-threatening.According to Today and People, the “blackout challenge” appears to be back on TikTok. TikTok has had a row of really dangerous challenges on their platform that children and youth may view and see as their ticket to go viral and get a lot of followers, but they can carry some big consequences.The alarm is being sounded about this challenge again because another young girl has lost their life. Nyla Anderson was just 10 years old, and she decided to participate in this challenge, but her mother found her unconscious and she tragically lost her life after spending some time in a pediatric intensive care unit.The “blackout challenge” is when someone restricts their breathing in an attempt to faint. It is being called a ‘dangerous game,’ and youth are participating in it. Elizabeth Wood is a social worker and she said that this was an accident, due to the deadly game. This challenge has been around for a while, but it does keep resurfacing online through different social media apps, with TikTok being one of the most important. Youth typically attempt this with someone else so that they are there to help ‘wake them up’ or get help if needed, but those who are doing it alone are in danger.[EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/Complex/status/1473668856124166150[/EMBED_TWITTER]Parents may feel that it is impossible to constantly monitor what their child is doing on social media, but this exactly why it is important to make sure that parents are having constant conversations with their children about these dangerous challenges. When we hear that these are resurfacing online, it is a gentle reminder for parents that it may be time for another talk with their child. Challenges and games like this should not be taken lightly, and it is important that children know the very real and possible side effects.Sources: Today, People