A coroner has issued a warning about “toxic” social media algorithms after a schoolboy died copying an aerosol trend that went viral.
Oliver, 12, was found unresponsive in his bed with empty aerosol cans scattered around him after returning from a family holiday. He was rushed to hospital but could not be resuscitated.
Andrew Bridgman, assistant coroner for Greater Manchester South, concluded Oliver had not intended to take his own life and said in a prevention of future deaths report the dangerous trend is widespread on social media, “particularly TikTok”.
He warned more young people will die “unless platform providers take responsibility”.
He also called for age restrictions on the sale of aerosols as well as clearer warnings about the harm abuse can cause.
Oliver and his family had returned home from a weekend in Wales in May when the schoolboy said he was tired and went up to his bedroom, the coroner’s report said.
When his mother called for him just before 18:00 BST he did not respond.
She found him unresponsive, called 999 and carried out CPR until paramedics arrived, the coroner said.
Other cans were later found in the room by police.
The schoolboy’s mother believed he was being bullied and raised her concerns with staff just before the holiday, but the school could not find any evidence, the report said.
The coroner said the craze involving use of aerosols to “experience the buzz” is widespread on social media, “including – and particularly – TikTok”.
Mr Bridgman said: “It was not possible to access Oliver’s mobile phone to determine whether Oliver had indulged in (the craze) directly from TikTok.
“The evidence was that it was, however, a challenge or practice known to be disseminated through TikTok.”
The coroner warned that “nothing appears to have changed” after a recent rise in such tragedies, adding that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.
“The posting of challenges… on social media platforms will continue to take the lives of young, impressionable and/or vulnerable children/teenagers unless the platform providers take responsibility for their content and/or toxic algorithms either voluntarily or through government action,” Mr Bridgman continued.
“The former seems unlikely.”