© Solen Feyissa via Unsplash
Another young life destroyed by a 'challenge' circulating on social media. In London, Freddie Davis, 11, died in his bed after inhaling a deodorant spray containing butane, a propellant commonly used in aerosol cans. The conclusion of the investigation into his death in January 2025 has re-focused the spotlight on an extremely dangerous practice known as chroming, a 'challenge' that went viral via videos on TikTok and YouTube.
A tragedy that reignites an increasingly urgent debate: How safe are social media for children and pre-teens?
What is chroming and why is it so dangerous?
Chroming (also known as huffing) involves inhaling volatile chemicals easily found in the home, such as deodorant sprays, solvents, nail polish, compressed air, gasoline or paint stripper, to induce a euphoric feeling and a temporary 'haze' over one's senses.
What makes this practice particularly insidious is precisely its easy availability: these are not illegal drugs, but everyday products. However, butane and propane, often found in aerosol cans, can cause sudden cardiac arrhythmias, suffocation, convulsions, brain damage and, in the most serious cases, death. Even on first use.
In 2024, the phenomenon received attention at the National Congress of the American Academy of Pediatrics. A study presented there analyzed 109 videos about chroming on TikTok. Together, these had been viewed more than 25 million times; impressive numbers, indicating how dangerous viral videos can be.
The Freddie case
According to the British press, Freddie's search history didn't involve spray cans or suicide. His mother, Roseanne Thompson, had even stopped buying deodorant sprays to protect him after hearing about the challenge. Yet that turned out not to be enough. And unfortunately, this case is not an isolated one.
Between 2001 and 2020, 716 deaths linked to the inhalation of volatile substances were recorded in England and Wales, an average of 36 per year. Almost 60% of the cases involved fuels. Butane and propane were mentioned in hundreds of death certificates.
The big problem is the spread of the challenge through social media. Videos showing or downplaying these practices can be viewed millions of times within hours, often without an adequate system to intervene or remove them.
Italian infectiologist's warning
Recently, infectiologist Matteo Bassetti reacted strongly to the matter, sending a warning through his channels on social media: "Chroming is a practice of inhaling toxic chemicals easily found in the home to experience an adrenaline rush. It's especially common among young people via social media and can lead to dizziness, addiction and, in the most serious cases, death."
Bassetti emphasizes that the fact that these substances are legal and commonplace makes it more difficult for parents to recognize the danger. He concludes with a clear stance: "This event also shows that social media under the age of 16 should be banned. In any case, it remains important for parents to monitor their children and the content that watch through social media."
More and more countries are restricting social media for young people
It's a hot topic. Several countries are introducing restrictions on the use of social media by minors. In France, a law has been passed stipulating that children under the age of 15 need parental permission to log onto social media. In Australia, the government has embarked on a journey to ban access to social media (including YouTube) for under-16s.
A fierce debate is also raging in the United Kingdom, with calls to tighten online protections after several cases of dangerous challenges. Recently, there have also been discussions in Spain about blocking access to social media for children under 16.
This is not about criminalizing parents, as highlighted in many reactions on social media following the news of Freddie's death: it's about recognizing that the current digital ecosystem is exposing younger and younger children to content that can have extremely serious consequences.
Tighter controls are needed on platforms, work is needed on digital resilience and education in schools, as well as a serious discussion about the minimum age of access to social media networks.
(©GreenMe.it 2026 / Managing Editor: Selma Keshkire - The Press Junction /Picture: Solen Feyissa via Unsplash)