Eleven-year-old from Hattingen dies: tragic end of an internet challenge!

Eleven-year-old from Hattingen dies: tragic end of an internet challenge!

A tragic incident in Hattingen throws a skill light on the dangers associated with risky online challenges. An eleven -year -old girl died after inhaling deospray, as the police in Ennepetal confirmed. Toxicological reports have clearly proven that the spray was the cause of death. It remains unclear whether the girl was followed by a corresponding "deodorant challenge", which is spread on social networks, especially on Tikok. This challenge encourages young people to breathe in deospray, which can have fatal consequences.

After the case became known, both authorities and experts have made concern about such risky trends. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment urges insistently about inhaling deosprays, as this can lead to unconsciousness, respiratory paralysis or even cardiac arrest. The authority emphasizes that such test samples are life -threatening and should therefore not be imitated. This also raises questions about the responsibility of social media platforms, parents and educational institutions in dealing with dangerous internet phenomena.

The dangers of social media

According to current studies, over 80 % of young people in Germany use social media daily and spend 3.5 hours online. This intensive use is in a worrying connection with psychological stress, especially in children and adolescents. Politicians and experts therefore demand age limits for the use of social media to ensure the security of adolescents. The National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina pleads for the introduction of age limits and an improved regulation of social media. It suggests that no social media accounts for children under the age of 13 should be allowed, while from the age of 13 it should be allowed to use under parental supervision.

The increase in the use of social media is particularly alarming in ever younger children. For example, data show that 10 % of 6 to 7-year-old Tikok and 71 % of 12 to 13 year olds are actively on social networks. Science warns of the psychological consequences of such use, including depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. Political measures for the clear regulation and control of social media are therefore urgently necessary.

Call to responsible

The tragic history of the eleven -year -old girl should serve as a wake -up call for everyone involved. Parents, schools and the operators of social media have a common responsibility to ensure that children and adolescents are protected from such dangerous trends. The need to promote age -appropriate training in media literacy is just as important as the demand for an effective regulation of these platforms in order to ensure the safety of the users.

In view of the steadily increasing number of children who use social media, we should all work together to minimize risks and create a safe environment for the next generation. In the current discussion, experts and initiatives comment on this in order to find sustainable solutions.

The incident not only raised questions about the security of young users, but also rekindled the discussion about the responsibility of social media platforms. An increased awareness of the dangers and responsible use of media are essential.

For more information about the incident in Hattingen, read VOL.AT and and stern.de. You can find information on the use of social media for children at Tagesschau.de.