A 13-year-old American boy has died after participating in a dangerous trend on social media.
The 'Benadryl challenge' encourages people to swallow up to 14 Benadryl pills, an antihistamine allergy medication, to induce hallucinations. The challenge has been circulating on TikTok for a few years.
Following nearly a week on a ventilator, Jacob Stevens passed away last week after overdosing while participating in the challenge.
His father Justin told ABC6 his son was at home with his friends when the overdose happened. He said the group filmed Jacob attempting the social media challenge when all of a sudden his body started seizing.
"When he did it all came at once and it was too much for his body," Justin said.
Justin told the outlet the family's decision to turn off the ventilation, as Jacob's brain functions had ceased, was the worst day of his life.
"No brain scan, there was nothing there. They said we could keep him on the vent, that he could lay there, but he will never open his eyes, he’ll never breathe, smile, walk or talk," he said.
The tragedy has inspired Jacob's family to warn other parents to monitor their children's online activity to avoid anyone else attempting the challenge. Justin has also contacted local lawmakers about enforcing an age restriction on buying medicine like Benadryl.
Jacob is remembered by his family as a well-mannered, funny, loving child.
In 2020, a 15-year-old American girl died from attempting the same challenge.
