PA Girl Dies After Trying Dangerous TikTok 'Challenge'

CHESTER, PA — After their young daughter's death, a Delaware County family is warning others of a dangerous "challenge" making rounds on TikTok.

Nyla Anderson died at just 10 years old on Dec. 12.

According to Action News, the young girl's death stemmed from a new TikTok trend that challenges you with holding your breath until you pass out.

The "blackout challenge" has Nyla's mother Tawainna Anderson warning other families.

"Make sure you check your kids' phones," she told Action News. "You never know what you might find on their phones. You wouldn't think 10-year-olds would try this. They're trying because they're kids and they don't know better."

Nyla died in her bedroom while other family members were home.

A spokesperson from TikTok said the "challenge" predates the social media app.

"This disturbing ‘challenge,’ which people seem to learn about from sources other than TikTok, long predates our platform and has never been a TikTok trend," the spokesperson said in an email. "We remain vigilant in our commitment to user safety and would immediately remove related content if found. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family for their tragic loss."

The young girl was "a butterfly" and a happy girl, her mother said.

She attended Chester Community Charter School and is survived by her mother, twin brother Nakye, brothers Kevin and Lamarr, grandmother, Phyllis Anderson, great-grandfather A. Kerbo, and many relatives, according to her obituary.

Her funeral service is being held from 9 a.m. to 11 am at Faith Temple, 1005 W. Seventh St. in Chester on Thursday.

A GoFundMe has been established to help her family handle funeral expenses.

"If we could come together as a community to help at least pay for the funeral, it would remove a slight burden from this suffering family," the fundraiser page reads.