…Researched and contributed by Henry George.
A father has issued a warning to parents after his 13-year-old son died attempting the “Benadryl Challenge,” a potentially lethal stunt involving over-the-counter medicine.
Jacob Stevens had been taking part in the challenge when his body started to seize up, and he ended up fighting for his life on a ventilator.
Despite the hospital’s best efforts, Jacob passed away after six days, on what his dad described as the “worst day of his life.”
The challenge sees participants taking 12 to 14 of the antihistamines, which is six times the recommended dose, to induce hallucinations.
Tragic Loss
Jacob’s father, Justin, shared a jarring image of Jacob on a ventilator and warned parents to keep a close eye on what their children are up to.
He is also imploring lawmakers to put age restrictions on over-the-counter pharmaceuticals like Benadryl and for social media sites like TikTok to impose similar safeguards, including requiring users to provide ID before creating an account.
The father also described the campaign to put age restrictions as his “life goal.”
Dangerous Viral Challenge
The “Benadryl Challenge” gained popularity in 2020, with teens uploading their attempts on social media sites, including TikTok.
Following the spate of deaths, manufacturer Johnson & Johnson issued a public advisory regarding the challenge and warned that it should be stopped immediately.
The Food and Drug Administration also put out a public service announcement stating that overdosing on the common over-the-counter allergy medicine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can lead to serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death.
Commentary
The tragic death of Jacob Stevens is a sobering reminder of the dangers of viral challenges and the importance of parental supervision.
While social media can be a source of entertainment and connection, it can also expose young people to dangerous and harmful content.
Parents must be vigilant about what their children are doing online and have open conversations with them about the risks associated with participating in challenges like the “Benadryl Challenge.”
Lawmakers and social media companies also have a role to play in ensuring that age-appropriate safeguards are in place to protect young people from harmful content and behavior.
The loss of Jacob is a devastating reminder of the need for greater awareness and action to keep young people safe.