TikTok users are constantly coming up with new trends on the video-sharing app, but sometimes these trends go too far and endanger someone's life. One such trend is 'chroming', which took the life of a 13-year-old Australian teen.
Esra Haynes, an eighth-grade student at Lilydale High School in Melbourne’s outer east, reportedly died on Wednesday, 31 March from chemical exposure while taking part in a TikTok trend during a sleepover. After trying the chroming trend, Haynes suffered irreparable brain damage and a cardiac arrest, according to First Post. She was hospitalized for a week before her tragic death. Her heartbroken parents are warning others of the risks associated with chroming.
What is chroming on tiktok?
The term chroming is an informal Australian term that refers to the act of breathing harmful fumes from a toxic source, such as an aerosol can or paint container. Users that engage in chroming post videos on TikTok under the name 'WhipTok', a slang term for the recreational use of nitrous oxide. On the platform, WhipTok has received over 546.3 million views.
According to the National Retail Association in Australia, the term "chroming" arose from the practice of sniffing chrome-based paint in order to create a high. Aerosol cans, paint, solvent, permanent markers, nail polish remover, hairspray, deodorants, lighter fluid, glue, cleaning supplies, nitrous oxide, and gasoline are all examples of dangerous substances.
@psych_nurse_insight The effects of chroming on the brain 🧠 #mentalhealthmatters #fyp #studentnurses #nurselife #nursesoftiktok #australiannursingstudent #dayinthelifenurse #healthcareworker #australiannurse #nurseknowledge #chroming #brainchanges ♬ original sound - Mindset boss babe 🌟Risk of chroming trend
Chroming is the act of breathing hazardous substances in order to achieve a momentary high. It produces a transient high similar to that of alcohol. The action, however, can trigger a heart attack, convulsions, asphyxia, unconsciousness, choking, or deadly injury, as well as lasting organ damage.
According to the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research, long-term drug misuse can cause cognitive impairment such as inability to concentrate, memory loss, impaired judgment, and a lower IQ.
This is not the only risky trend that has spread on the internet. Despite the fact that TikTok has taken steps to prevent these trends from spreading in some circumstances. They have also eliminated hashtags that could aid in their growth. However, it is not always sufficient. Here is a summary of some of the most harmful or contentious themes that have emerged on TikTok.
'That’s huffing here in USA'
Some users reacted to the chroming trend. A user said, "I know this isn’t a solution, but legalisation of cannabis would really be safer than people trying stuff like this." Another user added his reaction telling about the side effects of this trend. He said, "My cousin has been wheelchair-bound for life since she chromed for so long." "That’s huffing here in USA," another commentator added.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
