Two Texas parents are mourning the loss of their nine-year-old daughter, JackLynn, who died after becoming involved in a dangerous social media trend. Curtis and Wendi Blackwell’s daughter, JackLynn, died on February 3 after attempting a “blackout” or “choking” challenge, which involves holding your breath until you pass out from lack of oxygen.
“It’s not a joke, it’s not a game, it’s life and death,” Curtis said, warning parents about the dangers of calling for a “blackout” and using social media, CBS News reported.
What is a blackout challenge?
A blackout challenge involves suffocation, which deprives the brain of oxygen and can result in brain damage or death.
In 2022, a report by The Independent mentioned that at least 20 deaths had been linked to the challenge over an 18-month period, with 15 of the victims being under the age of 12.
Curtis told CBS News that most of the children involved are between the ages of 9 and 14. “Their brains are not fully developed and they are very easily influenced,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.
The 9-year-old reportedly loved challenges, especially those she found on social media.
How JackLynn was found dead
Curtis Blackwell remembered that his daughter had gone to play in the yard as she usually did, but the unusual silence soon raised concerns. When he went to check on her, he spotted her near the carport and at first thought she was bending over while playing – which she often did in the area. However, it soon became clear that something was wrong.
JackLynn was found with a cord wrapped around her neck.
Curtis found her unconscious and immediately tried to help, removing the cord and performing CPR until paramedics arrived.
“I found her unconscious, she was leaning against the line,” said Curtis Blackwell. “I tried to do everything I could to save her. I got her off the line. I tried to give her CPR until the first responders got there. It was the scariest, most shocking thing I’ve ever seen. It was horrible to see my daughter in such a vulnerable state over something so senseless,” he said, according to CBS News.
Lawsuit against TikTok over outage
In 2025, the parents of four British teenagers filed a lawsuit in the US against TikTok over the deaths of their children, claiming their deaths were due to a power outage.
According to The Guardian, the case filed in February said Isaac Kenevan, 13, Archie Battersbee, 12, Julian “Jools” Sweeney, 14, and Maia Walsh, 13, died in 2022 while attempting the challenge.
