Jacob Stevens, 13, of Columbus, is the latest victim to die from the Benadryl Challenge on TikTok.
TikTok claimed it blocked searches for the ‘Benadryl Challenge’ and said it had never seen a ‘content trend’ like it after a 13-year-old Ohio boy died as a result of popping 14 tablets.
Jacob Stevens, 13, of Columbus, is the latest victim to die from the Benadryl Challenge on TikTok. The young teen was filmed by his friends downing an alarming number of the anti-allergy pills.
He suffered near-immediate seizures, fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator for six days before dying.
The popular social media platform – which recently sat in the hot seat before Congress – has been made aware of the teen’s death and told DailyMail.com in a statement: ‘Our deepest sympathies go out to the family.
We have never seen this type of content trend on our platform and have blocked searches for years to help discourage copycat behavior,’ a TikTok spokesperson told DailyMail.com on Thursday.
The Chinese platform said it is a ‘priority’ to ‘strictly prohibit and remove content that promotes dangerous behavior’ and has a team of ‘40,000 safety professionals’ actively working to remove any concerning content, the spokesperson said.
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TikTok has removed 96 percent of videos of the challenge – which predates the creation of TikTok. More than 70 percent of those videos had no views. In addition, more than 80 percent were removed within 24 hours.
What is the TikTok Benadryl Challenge ?
What does the Benadryl challenge do?
‘TikTok Benadryl Challenge’, encourages its users to take dangerous amounts of the over-the-counter-drug diphenhydramine, commonly found in products like Benadryl and other OTC medications.
The challenge, which particularly targets teenagers, urges them to take 12-14 pills at a time to induce hallucinations.
Participants then record the whole ordeal on TikTok to share their hallucinating experience online.
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Doctor warns TikTok against trying deadly ‘Benadryl challenge’
Dr. Jen Caudle, of Philadelphia, said: ‘Folks are trying to catch this on social media, trying to film it, it’s a social media challenge. It is a death trap, if you ask me.
‘The latest tragedy is an example of this,’ she continued. ‘This is a warning to parents for kids, for people out there, do not try this.’
Caudle warned other side effects of taking too much Benadryl or other antihistamines can be heart problems, seizures, as well as, death.
‘Only take medications as prescribed,’ she warned. ‘Parents, make sure you lock up medications, over-the-counter medications, and make sure they are not easily accessible.
‘Please be aware of this and do not ever attempt any challenge, such as this.’
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