Internet challenges are a growing source of panic for parents and doctors who are similarly concerned about the fact that it may cause serious injury. Though, the parents of the two girls who died after taking part in the “blackout challenge” on TikTok have sued the popular social media app. Well, it is the second time that TikTok has to face a lawsuit over the same challenge.

HIGHLIGHTS
Two young girls lost their life while trying “blackout challenge” on TikTok
It influenced social media users to choke themselves until they pass out
TikTok showed deepest sympathy to the family for their sudden tragic loss

Lalani Erika Renee Walton who was 8 years old of Temple, Texas and Arriani Jaileen Arroyo, who was 9 years old of Milwaukee, have lost their life last year after it was heard that they have tried to do the blackout challenge. It is the challenge that has inspired social media users to choke themselves until they pass out, as per the lawsuit which was filed on 30th June in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The children's parents were represented by the Social Media Victims Law Center, a law firm which did not responded immediately to the request for comment.

TikTok has mentioned in a statement that 'such disturbing ‘challenge,' which people are seemed to find out about from the sources other than from TikTok, long predates our platform and it has never been a TikTok trend.” It even added to the statement that “we stay vigilant within our commitment to user safety and would remove related content as soon as it is found. Our deepest sympathy completely goes to the family for their sudden tragic loss.”

According to the complaint, Lalani has received her first phone once she turned eight last year and she quickly became addicted to TikTok. On July 15, 2021, once Lalani and her stepmother were returning back home from a road trip, Lalani was asked to clean up her room whereas her stepmother was taking rest before they left the house once more to swim. As her stepmother woke up, she found Lalani in her room with a rope round her neck, the suit has mentioned.

According to the complaint, authorities have informed her stepparent that Lalani 'did not commit suicide' which she had been watching videos of the blackout challenge on TikTok and had tried it herself.

Arriani was seven once she received her phone and even she became quickly addicted to watching the videos on the social media app. In January 2021, Arriani had shared with her mother about a young lady in Italy has been died while she was trying the social media challenge. Well, in response to which her mother told her that she wasn't allowed to try such a thing.

According to the complaint, about a month later on Feb. 26, Arriani was also found hanging from a leash in her home.

The lawsuit has described Lalani as an 'extremely sweet and outgoing' lady who would 'loved dressing up as a princess and also played with makeup.' She 'didn't shy away from the spotlight,' and the time she would grow older, 'she wished to be a known rapper, like Cardi B.'

As per the complaint Arriani is 'an active kid and enjoyed while playing basketball, kickball, and riding her bicycle.' They even said that 'She would love to dance and was listed in a ballet class at school.”

Also Read: Tiktok to Update EU Consumers Rights for Functioning