TikTok ‘put kids in danger’ by not removing ‘challenge’ videos, claim grieving parents
The IndependentGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. We’ve lost our children – from someone putting these videos on our phones.” open image in gallery Archie Battersbee, 12, also died after taking part in what his mother suspects to be an online challenge The parents are worried the new “hold breath challenge” could lead to fatalities in the same way the “blackout challenge” did, which similarly dared users to hold their breath until they lost consciousness. open image in gallery Archie’s case hit the headlines when his mother Hollie Dance lost a painful legal battle in 2022 to keep his life support switched on A coroner ruled Archie, who was described as an energetic, perfect boy who loved MMA and gymnastics, died accidentally in a “prank or experiment” which went wrong. “But I think that big companies like that are all about how much money they can generate and they don’t necessarily think about the impact it is having on the public, so I think that maybe there would have to be a law just to make sure it is properly enforced.” open image in gallery Esther Ghey says more drastic measures need to be taken to protect young lives Dame Melanie Dawes, chief executive of communications regulator Ofcom, told BBC Breakfast: “My heart goes out to Brianna’s family, and I think what her mum has done over the past few days in getting all these issues really high up the agenda is so important.” She said Ofcom was using the powers given to it by the Online Safety Act, which passed into law late last year, to “create a safer internet for teenagers”. We encourage professionals to use this support if they are concerned about harmful social media challenges by phoning 0344 381 4772’.” open image in gallery Scarlett Jenkinson, left, and Eddie Ratcliffe were both 15 when they killed 16-year-old Brianna with a hunting knife A spokesperson for TikTok said: “TikTok does not allow dangerous challenges, and we proactively find 99 per cent of content removed for breaking these rules.