13-year-old dies after participating in Benadryl TikTok challenge
Three children in Connecticut have died from diphenhydramine (Benadryl) overdoses within the past two months, prompting a warning from the state's Office of the Child Advocate. The deaths coincide with a reported resurgence of the so-called 'Benadryl Challenge,' a social media trend that first went viral in 2020 and encourages participants to take dangerously high doses of the antihistamine to induce hallucinations. Officials have not confirmed a direct link to the challenge, but doctors and public health authorities are urging parents to secure all medications and speak with children about the risks of online trends.
Connecticut's Office of the Child Advocate confirmed that three children died from apparent diphenhydramine overdoses within a two-month period, calling the cluster 'unusual and definitely a cause for concern.' State officials have not released the ages or locations of the victims, and have not formally linked the deaths to the 'Benadryl Challenge,' a social media trend that first went viral on TikTok in 2020 and has periodically resurfaced. The challenge encourages participants to take as many as 24 tablets — double the recommended adult dosage — in 24 hours to experience hallucinations, which are then recorded and posted online. Diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl at 25 mg per tablet, can cause serious cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, coma, and death when taken in excessive quantities, according to the FDA and multiple physicians. The apparent resurgence is not limited to Connecticut: an Oklahoma father separately reported that his 11-year-old daughter died from a diphenhydramine overdose last month. A family friend of one Connecticut victim told reporters that a 13-year-old girl in Waterbury had Benadryl delivered via DoorDash without an ID check, raising questions about retail safeguards. Doctors recommend that parents store all medications — including over-the-counter drugs — in locked, out-of-reach locations, and that families contact Poison Control or seek emergency care immediately if overdose is suspected.
What's missing
No source clarifies whether the three Connecticut deaths involved intentional misuse linked to the social media challenge or accidental ingestion, which is a critical distinction for both the investigation and public health response. Additionally, no source addresses whether DoorDash or other delivery platforms have policies to prevent minors from purchasing medications, despite the reported incident in Waterbury.
How coverage differed
The Daily Wire framed the story with emphasis on the trend's return and parental alarm, using emotionally charged language such as 'deadly online trend parents thought was gone.' CNN's earlier coverage focused on an individual Ohio death and highlighted TikTok's content moderation response, while center-leaning outlets largely reported the Connecticut deaths in a straightforward public-health framing without assigning blame to any platform.
What different sources said
- Daily WireRight
The Deadly Online Trend Parents Thought Was Gone Is Back
- ABC7 Eyewitness NewsCenter
Connecticut reports three child deaths tied to antihistamine overdoses tied to Benadryl
- CNN Top StoriesLeft
A 13-year-old dies after participating in a Benadryl TikTok 'challenge'
Amid social media challenge, calls to poison centers for Benadryl among teens more than double this year than last
- CT InsiderCenter
3 Connecticut children die of Benadryl overdoses, officials say
- ABC7 ChicagoCenter
3 children's deaths tied to Benadryl overdoses amid social media challenge
- WEAR-TVCenter
Pensacola doctor warns as social media 'Benadryl Challenge' resurfaces online
- Click2HoustonCenter
Doctors warn parents as dangerous ‘Benadryl Challenge’ may be resurfacing after children’s deaths
- 6abc PhiladelphiaCenter
3 children's deaths tied to Benadryl overdoses amid social media challenge
- LiveNOW from FOXCenter
3 child Benadryl deaths spark renewed fears of dangerous social media trend
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