Last year, 11-year-old Tommie-Lee was found unresponsive at a friend’s house during a sleepover.

His family said he suffered a cardiac arrest after taking part in a TikTok challenge known as ”chroming”.

The heartbroken family of 11-year-old Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington is sounding the alarm about the dangers of social media after the young boy tragically lost his life.

According to ITV, 11-year-old Tommie-Lee passed away on March 2, 2014, at a friend’s house in Lancaster, UK. Tommie-Lee’s grandmother, Tina Burns, revealed that he died “instantly” after taking part in a concerning online trend.

”Tommie-Lee went into cardiac arrest immediately and died right there and then. The hospital did everything to try and bring him back but nothing worked. He was gone,” she said.

The risky TikTok trend known as ‘chroming’ involves inhaling volatile substances for a high, according to The Royal Children’s Hospital.

Paying tribute to her grandson, Burns described him as a “heart of gold” and “a bright, energetic boy.” She added, “We don’t want any other children to follow TikTok or be on social media. In fact, we want to get TikTok taken down and no children to be allowed on any social media under 16 years of age.”

”Please talk to your children”

Sherri-Ann Gracie, Tommie-Lee’s mother, described her son as a “loving boy” and the “life and soul” of their home. She expressed anger that videos showing people sniffing or inhaling toxic substances — similar to what Tommie-Lee is believed to have done — are still online.

She said: “[They] really need to do more before this happens to any other people. I don’t want anyone else to suffer like this, because it’s awful. It has left a huge hole, not only in our family but in our hearts as well.”

Mrs. Gracie also stressed the importance of educating children, who “think they’re invincible,” about the dangers promoted on social media. “They don’t know the consequences and unfortunately my Tommie-Lee didn’t,” she said.

“As much as I hate talking about it, I need to raise awareness of what kids are trying nowadays. This cost my son his life from trying something other kids are doing. Please talk to your children about the consequences of this. It is beyond me why anyone would even try this! It’s so dangerous!”

Tommie-Lee’s older sister, Crystal, shared how close she and her brother were.

“We did everything together,” she said, noting that she’s reported similar dangerous content online to try and prevent other tragedies.

Police investigation

After Tommie-Lee’s death, a police investigation was launched, and his family received ongoing support from law enforcement officers. Last summer, the BBC reported that two adults had been questioned in connection with the boy’s death.

One 25-year-old Lancaster man was questioned over allegations including child abuse, neglect, possession of drugs with intent to supply, and money laundering, but he was released on bail.

Meanwhile, a 35-year-old woman from Lancaster was questioned over possession with intent to supply and is currently released under investigation.

Support has poured in for the grieving family, with a GoFundMe page for Tommie-Lee’s funeral raising over $4,800. Our deepest condolences to Tommie-Lee’s family and friend!