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New Jersey middle school principal warns parents of dangerous ‘blackout challenge’ trending online

The challenge consists of children holding their breath to the point of passing out.

Lanette Espy

Apr 17, 2024, 4:33 PM

Updated 247 days ago

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A middle school principal in South Orange is warning parents about the latest dangerous “blackout challenge” that students in the district are reportedly taking part in.
The challenge consists of children holding their breath to the point of passing out.
Two incidents recently occured at the middle school. In a letter sent to parents on Tuesday, Principal Lynn Irby Hill stated a student passed out during the first incident but was cared for by a school nurse.
In the second incident, Hill says the student had difficulty breathing after passing out. The student was taken to the hospital and released on the same day.
“These incidents were very scary and very avoidable. We will continue to warn our students about the dangers of the blackout challenge and most, if not all, challenges promoted on social media,” Hill wrote in the statement.