A 12-year-old boy tragically lost his life due to participating in a dangerous social media trend called Chroming, widely spread on TikTok, according to an inquest. The boy, Oliver Gorman, was found unresponsive in his bedroom on May 5 after returning home from a family vacation in Hyde. Despite efforts to save him, he passed away, with empty deodorant cans discovered in his room. A post-mortem revealed that he died from inhaling butane gas, commonly found in aerosol deodorants.
The coroner expressed ‘major concern’ about the proliferation of such challenges on TikTok, blaming the platform for making them easily accessible to impressionable youth. The coroner also suggested enhancing warning labels and possibly imposing age restrictions on purchasing aerosol deodorants in response to the tragedy. Oliver’s mother described him as a kind and animal-loving boy, highlighting his transition to high school as potentially challenging.
Authorities investigated the possibility of bullying, but no concrete evidence was found. The school principal mentioned the difficulty of acting without specific names. The tragic incident shed light on the risks associated with aerosol abuse, highlighting the need for increased awareness and safety measures. The coroner emphasized the impact of social media trends on young minds and pledged to address the issue with relevant authorities.
In memory of Oliver, his family and friends launched a campaign called Oliver’s Awareness to raise awareness about bullying and online safety. Oliver’s mother urged parents to be vigilant and informed about potential dangers, emphasizing the need to educate children about the risks of harmful behaviors.
