A UK High Court has granted a mother's request to reopen the inquest into her son's death, who died in 2022. Ellen Roome believes her son's death was the result of an online challenge.
In January 2025, Roome initiated legal proceedings against TikTok, alleging that a group of children, including her son, died while participating in a "blackout challenge." No subsequent hearings have occurred in relation to this lawsuit.
A spokesperson for TikTok stated at the time that the platform strictly prohibits content promoting or encouraging dangerous behavior.
Roome has emerged as a prominent advocate in the movement to ban social media for children following her son's death. An individual quoted in relation to Roome's campaign noted the importance of her efforts, suggesting it would "make it a little bit more easy to get the information." He also commented that "Most of the parents that lose children, they don't fight because you lost all the motivation."
This individual further emphasized that the primary objective of the campaign is for social media companies to be "100% responsible and accountable" as they possess the technology and financial resources to alter their business models and protect young people.
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