Texas family warns of blackout challenge after child dies attempting TikTok-spread stunt

Summary

A 9-year-old girl from Stephenville, Texas, JackLynn Blackwell, died on February 3, 2026, after apparently attempting the "blackout challenge," a dangerous social media dare involving self-choking. Her parents believe she saw a video of the challenge on YouTube and tried to replicate it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 80 people have died from this challenge, also known as the "choking game" or "pass-out challenge." The Blackwell family is raising awareness about the risks of viral social media challenges and the role of algorithmic content recommendations in exposing children to harmful content. In Delaware, six families have sued TikTok over similar incidents, and the Blackwells hope their case will lead to increased platform accountability.