“The last one who falls asleep wins”: 15 minors intoxicated in Mexico due to a viral TikTok challenge

The last one to fall asleep wins. This is the latest viral challenge in Mexico that has caused the poisoning of fifteen minors who wanted to share their achievements on TikTok.

The challenge is to consume clonazapem, a prescription drug that induces sleep, and trying to hold out without falling asleep for as long as possible. Children between the ages of 10 and 11 in Guanajuato, in the center of the country, became intoxicated after using drugs while trying to achieve the challenge. “It is presumed that the students ingested the medication as part of a challenge that has gone viral on networks,” the authorities have stressed.

The authorities warn that the game, called ‘Whoever falls asleep last wins’ poses a serious risk to young people. According to the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks, inadequate consumption can cause “side effects ranging from drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea to loss of balance, coordination problems, headache, muscle or joint pain”.

According to the Mexican authorities, in 2022 there were around 500 incidents of minors being sent to health centers for this type of challenge.

‘Dragon’s Breath’: Another challenge that ends with injuries

The ‘dragon’s breath‘consists of eating liquid nitrogen scrambled sweets that are sold in street stalls and then post a video on social networks. Direct consumption of the chemical can cause death in the most severe cases. In Indonesia, 25 children have already been injured.

The European Commission threatened TikTok with prohibiting the use of the social network in community territory if before September 1, 2023, if it does not promote controls so that minors cannot access to potentially dangerous videos.

blackout challenge

The blackout challenge is also one of the dangerous viral challenges on the social network and consists of holding your breath until you pass out. The practice is filmed and shared with others, the winner is the one who lasts the longest without breathing or fainting. At least he has caused 2 deaths.