Experts Warn of Growing Inhalant Trend on TikTok as ‘Chroming’ Gains Popularity
A TikTok-fueled surge in inhalant use is endangering kids’ lives, researchers warn. In a new study, the researchers have collected and analyzed dozens of videos amassing millions of views that feature the trend, known as “chroming.”
Inhalant use has long been a persistent public health problem. The various vapors or gases used as inhalants cause a euphoric, if usually short-lasting, high, but long-term use can lead to complications like brain damage or even death. The researchers behind this new study say that TikTok has sparked a newfound interest in inhalants among children and teens. In recent years, several families have alleged that their children were gravely injured or killed by using inhalants after being encouraged to do so as part as a viral “chroming challenge” featured on the platform.
The scientists analyzed 109 chroming-related videos on the social media platform that collectively had over 25 million views. They looked for details like the creator’s age and gender, any specific inhalants mentioned, and whether the creator discussed repeated use and addiction. Permanent markers appeared to be the most popularly referenced inhalant, with about a third of videos discussing them, followed by air dusters, nail polish, paint thinners, and gasoline, the researchers found. More than half of the videos also alluded to addiction. The team’s findings will be presented this weekend at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition.
“What is particularly concerning about chroming is that it uses everyday household items that are easily accessible to teens,” said lead scientist Keerthi Krishna, a research assistant at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center in New York, in a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics. “The covert nature of these items means that parents and teachers are less likely to detect the behavior, significantly increasing the risk of repeated usage and addiction among adolescents.”
Krishna and her team say that parents and pediatricians need to be more aware about the dangers of inhalant use. In response to the alleged chroming deaths, TikTok banned the search term “chroming challenge” and other related words earlier this year. These terms now return a warning about inhalant use. But reporters at Yahoo News were still able to find some chroming-related videos after the ban (when they notified TikTok about this, the videos were removed). The researchers say that social media companies should be doing more to keep this sort of content from spreading further.
TikTok isn’t the only factor that might be driving up inhalant use. Kids have been gravitating to specific brands of inhalants sold at stores or online, particularly nitrous oxide products (often used to make whipped cream) sold by the culinary company Galaxy Gas. The company has now halted sales of its whipped cream cannisters and has added a detailed alert about misusing their products immediately upon visiting its store website.