Social media blackout challenge hurts 2 at South Orange Middle School NBC10 Philadelphia [Video]

A middle school student was hospitalized and another was hurt Tuesday after the two engaged in what is known as “the blackout challenge,” a dangerous game that involves holding your breath until you’ve passed out, according to the principal’s letter to parents.

The blackout challenge is also sometimes called the choking game or fainting game. It has been around for years but resurfaces at times, thanks to social media. It gained widespread notoriety on TikTok.

South Orange Middle School Principal Lynn Irby Hill sent a letter home to parents about the two incidents Tuesday. In the first case, she wrote, a student passed out and was cared for by the school nurse. In the second case, the student had trouble breathing and needed assistance, so was rushed to the hospital along with a chaperone.

That student has since been discharged from the hospital.

“These incidents were very scary and very avoidable. We will continue to warn our students about …