What is the Chroming Challenge: Understanding the Perils of Inhaling Toxic Chemicals

Chroming, a new dangerous TikTok trend, is gaining popularity among Generation Z. This challenge is a variation of the long-standing practice of inhaling toxic chemical fumes.

It is important for parents and educators to know the warning signs and be educated on this deadly social media trend that affects the young lives of students.

What is the Chroming Challenge?

• Chroming is a dangerous trending challenge on TikTok where individuals inhale the fumes from a toxic source, such as an aerosol can, chrome based paint, organically active compounds, volatile organic compounds, or nail polish remover in order to obtain a euphoric state (Source: Dexerto)
• “Chroming” is a new term for "huffing," which has been a dangerous trend for a long time (Source: Parade)
• Challengers record themselves and others participating in this dangerous social media trend of literally inhaling paints or toxic chemicals and post the video to TikTok using the hashtag “WhipTok” or “Chroming”

Parent and educator video lesson

The Chroming Challenge in the news

Youth may sometimes prefer this method because they can get an immediate short-term high without having to ingest hard drugs.-National Post

“Inhaled chemicals are absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream through the lungs and are quickly distributed to the brain and other organs. Within seconds of inhalation, the user experiences intoxication along with other effects similar to those produced by alcohol,” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. - People

Key terms/slang about the Chroming Challenge

• Chroming
• Huffing

Top concerns of the Chroming Challenge

• Immediate effects of aerosol or metallic inhalants are generally temporary and may include symptoms of  mumbling, hallucinations, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
• Prolonged usage of toxic substances, or a chroming overdose, can lead to severe health complications resulting in permanent damage to organs, including a decrease in brain activity, cardiac arrest, life support, and even death
• Students may prefer Chroming because they can get an immediate short-term high without having to ingest hard drugs
• This social media challenge is a really dangerous idea because it is a form of substance abuse and can become addictive

What can parents & educators do?

• Contact 911 or your local poison control if you think someone has been involved in Chroming
• Get involved and talk with your student about peer pressure on social media
• Talk about the effects of harmful social media challenges with your student
• Know which chemicals in your house can be dangerous or used as recreational drugs and be aware of the warning signs when they are inhaled

Conclusion

Various forms of Chroming have been around for a long time, but it has recently resurfaced on social media in the form of a challenge. Students may be influenced by their peers or social media to participate in the social media Chroming Challenge. Parents and adults should be vigilant in talking to their children about peer pressure on social media and know the warning signs to look for in chroming.

More resources for parents, students, & educators

To learn more about other social media challenges that students may be exposed to, view our resource: Social Media Challenges: What Students, Parents, & Educators Need to Know

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For a full list of social media challenges, review the list of Dangerous Social Media Challenges