The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore has issued a warning to parents about dangerous online challenges that children may be tempted to participate in. The ministry urged parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities to protect them from potential harm.
In a March 3 advisory sent through the Parents Gateway app, the MOE highlighted the risks of the “Blackout Challenge,” in which individuals choke themselves with household items until they lose consciousness for a few seconds. The warning came after content creator Runner Kao shared an Instagram post criticizing two boys who were involved in a similar activity. The boys, wearing St. Hilda’s Secondary School T-shirts, were filmed playing a “game” where one person chokes the other until they pass out. Screenshots from the post showed the boy only releasing his grip once the other had already lost consciousness.
This type of behavior has led to tragic consequences globally. Several children have died while attempting the Blackout Challenge. In February, the families of four children in the UK filed a lawsuit against TikTok after they claimed the platform exposed their children to harmful content. The children allegedly attempted the Blackout Challenge and died in the process.
In response, the MOE urged parents to take an active role in guiding their children to make safe and responsible choices when it comes to online challenges. The advisory offered several tips for parents, including staying informed about popular online trends, discussing the potential dangers of these challenges, and encouraging children to seek help from trusted adults if they know others participating in risky activities.
Another dangerous trend mentioned in the advisory is the “Skull Breaker Challenge,” where one person jumps while two others kick their legs to force them to fall backward, often resulting in a head injury.
