A teen who had his complete life forward of him has sadly handed away after participating in a harmful TikTok pattern.
Jacob Stevens, a 13-year-old Ohio native, is useless after overdosing on allergy remedy within the identify of the“Benadryl Problem” — a pattern that has plagued the video sharing app for years. The purpose of the life threatening dare is to devour 12-14 drugs of the allergy drug so as to expertise a hallucinogenic excessive — however sadly for Jacob, it as a substitute claimed his life.
His father, Justin Stevens, spoke with ABC over the weekend, the place he shared particulars of his teen’s last moments:
“When he did all of it got here directly and it was an excessive amount of for his physique.”
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He added that the 13-year-old was at residence with mates when he tried the problem, however his physique rapidly started seizing. Instantly, the involved father rushed his son to the hospital, the place he was met with devastating information:
“No mind scan, there was nothing there. They stated we might preserve him on the vent that he might lay there however he won’t ever open his eyes, he’ll by no means breathe, smile, stroll or speak.”
We will’t even start to think about what it was wish to obtain that world shattering information. Ugh. How terrible.
After six days on a ventilator, Jacob handed away final Wednesday in what his father known as “the worst day” of his life. The late teen is described in his obituary as, “a well-mannered, humorous, loving child,” who “loved listening to music, taking part in soccer, and hanging out together with his mates.”
In an official assertion to a number of shops, a spokesperson for TikTok stated:
“Our deepest sympathies exit to the household. At TikTok, we strictly prohibit and take away content material that promotes harmful habits with the protection of our neighborhood as a precedence. We’ve by no means seen this sort of content material pattern on our platform and have blocked searches for years to assist discourage copycat habits. Our crew of 40,000 security professionals works to take away violations of our Group Tips and we encourage our neighborhood to report any content material or accounts they’re involved about.”
The official Benadryl model has additionally come ahead with a press release of their very own, declaring:
“We perceive that buyers could have heard about a web-based ‘problem’ involving the misuse or abuse of diphenhydramine. The problem, which includes ingestion of extreme portions of diphenhydramine, is a harmful pattern and ought to be stopped instantly. BENADRYL® merchandise and different diphenhydramine merchandise ought to solely be used as directed by the label.
Collaboration and schooling are vital to placing an finish to this harmful misuse. We’re working with TikTok and different social platforms to take away content material that showcases this habits. We’ll look to associate throughout trade and with key stakeholders to deal with this harmful habits.”
Jacob’s grandmother, Dianna Stevens, advised ABC:
“I’m going to do something I can to verify one other baby doesn’t undergo it.”
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A GoFundMe placed on by Jacob’s aunt, Ashley Dean, which you’ll be able to go to HERE, added:
“No mom ought to should say goodbye to their child! That is so heartbreaking and I’ve no phrases to consolation her please something will assist.”
So, so unhappy.
This, after all, was not the primary fatality from the harmful problem, as we reported again in 2021 {that a} consumer had died in 2020 from the pattern. On the time, the US Meals & Drug Administration warned in a press release:
“Taking increased than beneficial doses of the frequent over-the-counter (OTC) allergy drugs diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can result in severe coronary heart issues, seizures, coma, and even loss of life.”
We’re so unhappy to see one other younger life misplaced to the harmful problem. This needs to be stopped. What are your ideas? Share your help within the feedback down under.
[Images via Ashley Dean/GoFundMe & ABC/YouTube]
