in

Archie Battersbee’s Mum Says ‘Blackout Challenge’ Has ‘Killed 82 Kids’

Archie Battersbee
Credit: Alamy

The mother of the late Archie Battersbee has said an online game, ‘Blackout Challenge’, has ‘killed 82 kids’.

Hollie Dance, 46, claims 82 children have lost their lives taking part in the challenge – which involves choking yourself until you pass out – with more being left with significant brain injuries since its rise to prominence 14 years ago.

She told The Mirror: “The social media companies don’t do enough to stop harmful content online.

Watch Archie Battersbee’s family discuss his life support being switched off…

“It’s out there and people are grooming our children to do these challenges, it’s disgusting.

“The people – they’re often adults, not children – who are demonstrating these challenges are sick.”

Battersbee was comatose for four months after being found inside the family home with a ligature around his neck and his life support was withdrawn on August 6.

Showing a man in his 30s doing the challenge online, she added: “This is a grown man demonstrating this ‘trick’ to children. Those people need to be held accountable.

Related Article: Archie Battersbee Cause Of Death Confirmed By Inquest

“The police and the government need to work together to stop this.”

Since Battersbee’s death, social media companies have seen a rise in reports of dangerous and life-threatening trends, according to The Mirror.

There have been increased calls for the government to do more to stop further tragedies.

Liberal Democrat spokesman Jamie Stone has criticised delays in amending the Online Safety Bill.

Related Article: Archie Battersbee Family ‘Demand Inquiry’ After Death

He said: “It’s more than four years since Conservative ministers promised new laws to tackle online harms, but we’re still waiting. We need clear, tough laws.”

A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokeswoman said, however: “The Online Safety Bill will force tech firms to protect children from dangerous viral stunts.

“Failing firms will face huge fines or have their sites blocked.”

Dance has now made it her task to ensure nobody suffers in the way they have, saying: “That’s the legacy I want for Archie.

“I want to protect kids and the loved ones left behind. It’s unbearable.”

Watch our Video of the Day below… 

Do you have a story for us? If so, email us at [email protected]. All contact will be treated in confidence.

Written by Cal Gaunt

Cal is a former content editor at IGV who specialised in writing trending and entertainment news. He previously worked as a news reporter at the Lancashire Telegraph and earned an NCTJ in Sports Journalism.