Ohio Boy Dead After Trying TikTok 'Benadryl Challenge'

After nearly a week on a ventilator, an Ohio boy who tried doing the TikTok "Benadryl Challenge" has died.

The parents of Jacob Stevens told ABC 6 that the 13-year-old boy consumed 12 to 14 pills of the over-the-counter antihistamine in an attempt to create hallucinations.

Jacob's father, Justin Stevens, told the outlet that his son's started to have seizures as he tried the TikTok "Benadryl Challenge,' while his friends were filming him.

"When he did, it all came at once, and it was too much for his body," Justin said after his son overdosed on Benadryl.

Jacob passed away after being on a ventilator for six days, and his father called it "the worst day of his life," CBS News reported.

Overdoses linked to the TikTok "Benadryl Challenge" have been a concern for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for years, raising the alarm over this matter.

Diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl, is an antihistamine that temporarily alleviates symptoms caused by hay fever, upper respiratory allergies, or the common cold, like sneezing and runny nose.

While the FDA has deemed diphenhydramine safe and effective when used as directed, overdosing can lead to cardiac failure, seizures, coma, and death.

Benadryl's manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, warned online users that the "Benadryl Challenge" is "a dangerous trend and should be stopped immediately."

The company and the FDA have advised adults to keep Benadryl and other medications out of children's reach.

Ohio Boy's Father Warns Other Parents About 'Challenges' on TikTok, Other Social Media Sites

Following the tragic "Benadryl Challenge" that took the Ohio boy's life, Justin Stevens and his family have made it their mission to prevent anything similar from happening again, according to Daily Mail.

"I'm going to do anything I can to make sure another child doesn't go through it," Dianna Stevens, Jacob Stevens' grandmother, told ABC 6.

Justin urged other parents to keep tabs on their children's online activities.

"Keep an eye on what they're doing on that phone. Talk to them about the situation," he said. "I want everyone to know about my son."

The family of the Ohio boy has begun advocating for legislation to limit access to Benadryl and other similar over-the-counter medications to those of legal age to prevent other children from engaging in a similar challenge.

They also want TikTok to have an age limit for making accounts and require users to show ID before using the platform.

Under 18 TikTok Users Will See Major Changes on the Platform

To prevent mindless scrolling, which critics claim is turning youngsters into "boring beasts," TikTok announced significant modifications last month for users under 18 to limit the adverse effects of the app's use among youngsters.

The viral video platform said a one-hour daily screen time limit set would be introduced in the coming weeks to curb endless scrolling by the youths.

Two days before the new rules came, the White House told government agencies to remove the Chinese app TikTok from their devices within 30 days to prevent the Chinese communist government from spying on US citizens, according to the New York Post.

"We believe digital experiences should bring joy and play a positive role in how people express themselves, discover ideas, and connect," Cormac Keenan, TikTok's head of trust and safety, said in a statement.

He said they are improving their screen time tool with "more custom options, introducing new default settings for teen accounts, and expanding Family Pairing with more parental controls."

Each user under 18 will now have a maximum of 60 minutes to view content, and then they must enter a passcode to continue using the app.

Users under 13 will likewise have a 60-minute limit imposed. However, an additional 30 minutes can be viewed if a parent or guardian sets or enters a passcode.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

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After TikTok' Benadryl Challenge - From Today World