St Hilda’s Secondary Students Performed Dangerous “Blackout Challenge” as MOE Issues Warning to Parents

By
Loh Huey Xin
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I am pretty sure the image of this article would be familiar to many, as recent news about the “Blackout Challenge” played by students from St Hilda’s Secondary School has been going viral.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has issued a warning to parents, advising them to caution their children against these “challenges.”

Doctors also point out that these “challenges” may cause irreversible physical damage and psychological trauma.

Incident Caught on Social Media

A TikTok user posted several screenshots last Saturday, 1 Mar 2025, describing a schoolyard mischief that has since gained widespread attention.

According to the video, two male students wearing St. Hilda’s Secondary School uniforms were attempting a TikTok challenge.

The boy in front was put in a chokehold by his friend who was standing behind.

Despite repeatedly tapping his friend’s elbow to signal him to stop, the friend didn’t release until the boy gradually lost consciousness.

Although the choked boy quickly regained consciousness, the entire incident was alarming to viewers.

After the video went viral, some netizens commented that this prank might be related to the “Blackout Challenge” recently trending in schools.

This challenge involves willing participants continuing until the person in the chokehold loses consciousness.

By Tuesday morning, 4 Mar 2025, the TikTok user suddenly removed the video for unknown reasons.

In response to this incident, the MOE did not disclose the specific time and location when answering queries from zaobao.sg.

A spokesperson stated that authorities had issued a notice titled “Keeping Our Children Safe – Addressing Online Risk Challenges” on the Parents Gateway application at 7:10 PM on Monday, 3 Mar 2025.

MOE and Medical Warnings

The MOE warned parents about recent online challenges encouraging children to engage in dangerous behaviors, including the “Blackout Challenge” and “Skull Breaker Challenge.”

The Blackout Challenge involves students deliberately causing oxygen deprivation to the brain through methods like choking, while the Skull Breaker Challenge involves two people simultaneously kicking a third person’s legs to make them fall.

The ministry emphasized that these challenges are not only dangerous but potentially fatal, reminding parents to watch for signs their children might be participating in such activities, whether as pranks or for other reasons.

Authorities also urged parents to actively guide their children to make safe, responsible decisions regarding dangerous online challenges.

A doctor from the Children’s Emergency Department at the National University Hospital’s Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Centre, told zaobao.sg that the “Blackout Challenge” can cause unconsciousness due to oxygen deprivation to the brain.

In severe cases, it can lead to irreversible brain damage and even cardiac arrest, threatening lives. Even with timely medical intervention, participants may suffer intense psychological trauma.

Additionally, excessive pressure on the neck can cause serious spinal injuries, resulting in paralysis or death.

The doctor added on that parents can help prevent this through education.

If a child shows symptoms like dizziness, drowsiness, or purple lips with loss of consciousness, they should immediately check for pulse and breathing.

Another doctor who is a family physician at Skyline Pharmacy, told zaobao.sg that severe oxygen deprivation can cause permanent damage such as stroke, epilepsy, and kidney and heart failure.

“From a medical perspective, these so-called ‘challenges’ are extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by people of any age.”

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Loh Huey Xin