A TALENTED youngster who taught himself guitar and keyboard is dead after attempting a deadly social media dare.
Sebastian was celebrating his little brother’s First Holy Communion. Happy day. Joyful family occasion in Castleford, West Yorkshire. Then suddenly – tragedy struck.
The 12-year-old was found unresponsive at home yesterday evening. Police, paramedics, even an air ambulance scrambled to Manor Grove just after 6pm. They rushed him to hospital in a massive police-escorted convoy.
Couldn’t save him.
THE DEADLY ‘BLACKOUT CHALLENGE’
Sebastian’s dad Marcin believes his son died attempting what’s called the ‘scarf challenge. Also known as the blackout challenge. Kids choke themselves – with scarves, belts, whatever – to get a rush from lack of oxygen.
It’s been killing children for years.
The family friend who set up the GoFundMe page, Agnieszka Czerniejewska, was blunt: “A dangerous internet challenge took his life.”
West Yorkshire Police said they were called “following reports of concern for the safety of a child.” The boy was taken to hospital “where it was later confirmed that he had died.” They’re not treating it as suspicious. But enquiries are ongoing for the coroner.
SEBASTIAN: ‘FULL OF DREAMS’
This kid had everything going for him.
“He taught himself to play the guitar and keyboard, and he loved to draw,” the fundraiser says. “Always smiling, kind, and full of joy — everyone who met him was touched by his gentle spirit.”
His football coaching group Little Messys posted: [We] will miss his smile, his energy, and his love for the game more than words can say.”
The family’s GoFundMe has already raised over £5,000. They need it for funeral expenses, psychological support. The unthinkable costs of burying a child.
But here’s what the family really wants parents to know.
THE WARNING TO EVERY PARENT
The fundraiser doesn’t mince words:
“Talk to your children about what they do online. Ask what they watch, who they talk to, what inspires them. Be present. Don’t assume: ‘My child would never do that.’ The online world can be as dangerous as the real one — sometimes even more so.”
One brief moment. That’s all it took.
Sebastian had “loving parents who did everything they could to give him a safe and happy childhood. They would have given him the stars.”
But they didn’t know about this challenge. Most parents don’t.
THE DEATH TOLL KEEPS RISING
Sebastian ain’t the first. Won’t be the last.
Just this year, the parents of FOUR British kids are taking TikTok to court. Their children – Isaac Kenevan, 13, Archie Battersbee, 12, Julian ‘Jools’ Sweeney, 14, and Maia Walsh, 13 – all died in 2022.
Same challenge. Same tragedy.
The lawsuit filed in Delaware says TikTok’s algorithm “purposely targeted these children with dangerous content to increase their engagement time on the platform and drive revenue.
Lisa Kenevan found her son Isaac unconscious in March 2022. I couldn’t open the door, so I went running downstairs and I got a hammer from the garage. I went running upstairs and I broke the lock on the door and that’s where I found Isaac,” she told the BBC.
Archie Battersbee’s mum Hollie didn’t even know her son used TikTok until after he died.
Jools Sweeney’s mother is now campaigning for “Jools’ Law” – to give parents access to their dead children’s social media accounts. Her petition got 126,033 signatures. Parliament debated it in January.
THE NUMBERS ARE HORRIFYING
Back in 2022, The Independent reported at least 20 deaths linked to the blackout challenge in just 18 months. Fifteen of the victims were 12 or younger.
In 2023, 16-year-old Christy Sibali died in France attempting the same stunt.
That same year, 12-year-old Milagros Soto in Argentina. Caught on camera.
TikTok claims they’ve blocked hashtags and searches for the challenge since 2020. Tell that to the grieving parents.
TIKTOK’S RESPONSE? PATHETIC
When US courts threw out one lawsuit, they hid behind Section 230 – the law that protects tech companies from what users post.
But an appeals court just revived that case. Judge Patty Shwartz wrote: “TikTok makes choices about the content recommended and promoted to specific users.
In other words – their algorithm pushes this stuff to kids.
When the UK families asked for their dead children’s data, a TikTok executive said it might have been deleted. How convenient.
Lisa Kenevan asked: “Why hold back from giving us the data? How can they sleep at night?”
‘LET IT BE A QUIET CALL’
The family’s message is raw. Real.
“What happened is a tragedy beyond words. No parent should ever have to bury their child. No one should ever endure such heartbreak.”
They’re not just asking for money. They’re begging other parents to wake up.
“Let Sebastian’s passing not be in vain. Let it be a quiet call for awareness—a reminder to stay close, to talk more, to protect the ones we love. So that other children may live. So that no other parent has to experience this unimaginable pain.”
Sebastian’s dad thought TikTok was harmless fun. Maia Walsh’s father let her download it thinking the same. Isaac’s mum believed it was “safe” and “innocent.”
They were wrong. Dead wrong.
THE BRUTAL TRUTH
Kids are dying for likes. For views. For a few seconds of internet fame.
The blackout challenge. The fire challenge. The Benadryl challenge. The skull breaker challenge. They got names for all of them. Each one stupider than the last. Each one potentially deadly.
And TikTok? ByteDance? They’re making billions while children suffocate in their bedrooms.
The lawsuit says it plain: TikTok is “a dangerous and addictive product that markets itself as fun and safe for children, while lulling parents into a false sense of security.
CHECK YOUR KIDS’ PHONES. NOW.
Don’t think your kid’s too smart. Too sensible. Too well-behaved.
Isaac Kenevan was described as an “old soul, always curious.” Never had behavioral issues. Until TikTok.
Archie was “confident and fearless.” Loved superheroes. Always smiling.
Maia was “joyful” and “intelligent.” A born leader.
Sebastian taught himself instruments. Drew pictures. Made everyone smile.
All dead.
All because of a stupid internet challenge they saw on their phones.
The family’s fundraiser ends with this: “Sebastian will remain in our hearts forever.”
Forever is a long time to miss your child. A long time to wonder what if.
Talk to your kids. Today. Before it’s too late.
If you want to support Sebastian’s family, the GoFundMe has raised £5,000 of its £9,000 goal.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline: 13 11 14
