After “trying the Viral Social Media Challenge”, 13-year-old Nigerian boy D!

A Southern California family is mourning the tragic loss of 13-year-old Nnamdi Glenn Ohaeri, who believes he died after trying a dangerous social media challenge challenge, similar to the trends that have taken away multiple young lives in the past.

On the morning of February 3, the day after watching the Grammy Awards with his family, the teenager was found unresponsive in his bedroom in Murietta.

His mother immediately underwent CPR, while his father, Nnamdi Ohaeri Sr., asked his neighbor for help, and called emergency services. Despite their great efforts, they were later pronounced dead.

Although the initial signs suggest a possible suicide, his parents did not believe it and began their own investigation. They soon discovered that their son could be affected by a dangerous social media challenge that dared to lose consciousness among participants. The trend is similar to the infamous “blackout challenge” and has been linked to several deaths in recent years, attracting the attention of parents and authorities.

Ohaeri, little, has no social media accounts and his phone is equipped with strict parental controls, leading his parents to suspect that he has learned the challenge from classmates or friends.

This sad family now hopes that their son’s story will warn other parents. They urge families to be alert to content and trends their children may be subject to, whether online or through peer influence.

Ohaeri Sr. reflects on the tragedy, admitting that although he has educated his son about the dangers of drugs, he has not considered the risks of social media challenges.

“We won’t talk about not following social media trends or playing social media games,” he said. “Maybe we need it.”

As they struggle with grief and unresolved issues, families hope that their devastating experiences will encourage more parents to have open conversations with their children about the hidden dangers of social media and peer stress.

Authorities have not released the official cause of death, and it is not clear whether the incident was investigated as a suicide or an accident. The Murietta Police Department has not provided further details about the case.