A 13-year-old Nigerian Glenn Ohaeri., who is based in Southern California has died after attempting a dangerous social media challenge similar to past trends that have claimed multiple young lives.
According to Ohaeri’s family, the young boy was found dead in his bedroom on February 3, just a day after watching the Grammy Awards with his family.
Reports indicated that the mother of the deceased immediately performed CPR on him, while his father, Nnamdi Ohaeri Sr., sought help from a neighbor who called emergency services.
However, efforts to save Glenn proved abortive, as he was later pronounced dead.
Glenn’s parent began their investigations after initial signs pointed to a possible suicide. This is when they discovered that their son was influenced by a hazardous social media challenge that dares participants to render themselves unconscious.
The trend, similar to the infamous “Blackout Challenge,” has been linked to several deaths in recent years, raising concerns among parents and authorities.
According to the deceased parent, the boy did not have social media accounts, and his phone was equipped with strict parental controls, leading them to suspect he learned about the challenge from classmates or friends.
Grieving their son, the family warned other parents, urging them to be vigilant about the content and trends their children may be exposed to, whether online or through peer influence.
Ohaeri Sr. reflected on the tragedy, acknowledging that while he had educated his sons about the dangers of drugs, he had not considered the risks of social media challenges.
“We don’t talk about not following social media trends or playing social media games,” he said. “And maybe we need to.”
Authorities have not yet released an official cause of death, and it remains unclear whether the incident is being investigated as a suicide or an accident. The Murrieta Police Department has not provided further details on the case.
