Parents are being urged to speak to their children about a dangerous social media trend known as "chroming," after a Welsh school issued an urgent warning. Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen in Bridgend sent a letter to parents highlighting the craze, which involves inhaling chemicals to get a temporary high.
Chroming refers to the inhalation of substances such as aerosols, nitrous oxide, solvents, and nitrites. The practice can cause severe health consequences including heart and lung damage, as well as harm to brain development and behaviour. In some cases, it has proved fatal.
The trend has already led to deaths among teenagers worldwide, including an 11-year-old boy in Lancashire, UK. In response, the UK government updated its laws on 8 November 2023, classifying nitrous oxide as a Class C drug with criminal penalties for misuse.
The chemicals used in chroming are widely available in common household items like glue, permanent markers, and deodorant cans, making regulation difficult. According to Safer Schools, a safeguarding initiative, young people may be enticed by the intoxicating effects, thrill-seeking, media influence, or peer pressure.
The school's letter stresses that the trend is particularly dangerous because it can be done quickly with easily accessible products. It strongly encourages parents and carers to discuss the risks with their children to help them make safe and informed decisions.
