The family of an 11-year-old boy who died at a sleepover in Lancaster has warned parents about a dangerous social media challenge involving the inhalation of toxic fumes. Tommie-lee Gracie Billington was found unresponsive at a friend's home on Greenset Close on March 2 and later pronounced dead at hospital.
His grandmother, Tina Burns, said he had taken part in 'chroming', a trend where users inhale fumes from aerosol cans, deodorant or paint to get a high. She described her grandson as having a 'heart of gold' and said the family is 'utterly devastated'. They are calling for TikTok to be shut down and for a ban on social media for under-16s.
Lancashire Police are treating the death as unexplained and have informed the coroner. A spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts are with the boy's loved ones at this incredibly sad time.' The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact police.
Chroming, a term originating from Australia, can cause dizziness, hallucinations, heart attacks, and permanent organ damage. TikTok has blocked searches for the term, but the trend persists.
