INDIANAPOLIS — A dangerous social media and YouTube challenge is taking the lives of teens across the country, including a southern Indiana boy.
It's called the "choking challenge." It's where a person either strangles themselves or gets another person to suppress them to experience a euphoric feeling.
First responders found Mason Bogard unresponsive inside his home on May 1. His mother said on Facebook that she believes he died after attempting that challenge.
Dr. Cory Showalter with Riley Children's Health explained the dangers of the choking challenge and what parents need to look out for.
"I think it's super important that parents are watching over their children. Especially what they're doing online," Dr. Showalter said.
According to Dr. Showalter, Riley Children's Hospital is the only level one trauma center in the state of Indiana.
"So all of the bad cases will ultimately come to us," he said. "So, our PICU physicians have taken care of kids who have ended up in the ICU because of these types of injuries. And other ED doctors at Riley have taken care of kids with these injuries."
The choking challenge isn't new, Dr. Showalter said. But, it has become more widespread because of social media.
Dr. Showalter said parents should get off of their phones and tablets a little bit more to check in on their kids and what they're doing.
