A coroner has raised significant concerns regarding age restrictions on social media platforms and the sale of aerosol products, following the tragic death of 12-year-old Oliver Gorman from Tameside. Oliver was found unresponsive in his bedroom on the evening of May 5, shortly after returning from a family holiday. Despite extensive resuscitation efforts, he could not be saved. An inquest revealed he died as a result of the inhalation of butane, a propellant commonly found in aerosol deodorants. Numerous empty Lynx and Aldi deodorant cans were found scattered around his room.

The inquest heard details of a dangerous social media 'craze' known as 'chroming' or 'huffing,' where individuals inhale fumes from products like deodorants to achieve a 'high.' Assistant Coroner Andrew Bridgman was told that this 'recreational craze' to 'experience the buzz from the propellant’s butane and/or propane' is 'widespread on social media, including and particularly TikTok.' While police were unable to access Oliver's phone to determine if he engaged in the craze directly from TikTok, the coroner noted that the practice is known to be disseminated through the platform.

The coroner concluded that Oliver did not intend to take his own life, describing his death as a case of 'recreational enjoyment' that went 'tragically wrong,' recording a conclusion of misadventure. Investigations into a concern of bullying raised by Oliver's mother days before his death found 'nothing substantive' and it was determined that bullying did not play a part in his passing.

Following the hearing, Mr. Bridgman outlined his concerns in a Prevention of Future Deaths report, made public today. His report included a chilling warning about 'social media content and access,' stating that 'the posting of challenges such as those listed above, and no doubt others, on social media platforms will continue to take the lives of young, impressionable and/or vulnerable children/teenagers unless the platform providers take responsibility for their content and/or toxic algorithms either voluntarily or through Government action. The former seems unlikely.'

The coroner also questioned the standard age restriction of 13 for 'most social media platforms,' arguing that it 'appears to have been determined in relation to data protection laws rather than of the nature of the content to which they will be exposed, again via any toxic algorithms or any searches they may make.' He has indicated he will ask the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to investigate restricting under-18s from using apps like TikTok.

Further concerns were raised about the lack of age restrictions on purchasing aerosols. Mr. Bridgman noted that while you must be 18 to buy butane for refilling cigarettes and 16 to buy aerosol paints – both laws aimed at preventing the misuse of butane/propane – there are no age restrictions on other equally dangerous products like deodorant. He suggested that 'an age restriction on such products would also likely heighten parental awareness of the dangers of such products.' He plans to write to the Department for Business and Trade urging a ban on under-16s buying aerosol deodorant, aligning it with spray paint restrictions.

Additionally, the coroner criticized the 'inadequate' warnings on the cans found in Oliver's room. He described the warning 'SOLVENT ABUSE CAN KILL INSTANTLY' as being set in a small, 12mm x 12mm outline, easily 'lost amongst all the other information and writing on the can.' He highlighted that many people may not equate inhalation of aerosol spray with solvent abuse, suggesting the warning does not 'properly describe the risks' of instant death from inhalation.

Mr. Bridgman stressed that Oliver's death from propellant inhalation is 'one of a number of deaths in the past few years,' yet 'nothing appears to have changed in response to those deaths.' He asserted, 'In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.' The report has been sent to the Business Secretary, Culture Secretary, Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary, and the Chair of the British Aerosol Manufacturers Association.

Oliver's mother, Clare Gillespie, expressed her profound shock and grief, stating she was unaware of 'chroming' or the instant lethality of solvent inhalation. She urged other parents, 'Just don't buy them. Don't have them in your home. Take every precaution you can. Listen to your gut. I never thought it would happen to my child.' While Oliver had confided in his older brother about being bullied, his mother believes he didn't intend to end his life, thinking it was 'something that went terribly wrong.' She warned that innocent use of social media can 'take you down a dark road.' The family has launched a campaign called 'Oliver’s Awareness' to promote the message 'it’s ok to talk' about bullying and advocate for barring under-18s from TikTok.

When approached for comment, TikTok stated it had not received any requests from the coroner or engaged with law enforcement regarding the case, but would if required. A spokesperson affirmed that TikTok does not allow 'videos showing or promoting dangerous activity or challenges,' claiming '99 per cent' of rule-breaking content is 'proactively' found. They asserted that 'chroming' cannot 'be described as a TikTok craze,' with 'no evidence of this type of content trending on our platform.' TikTok added that if a user searches for 'huffing,' they are shown a warning titled 'Be informed and aware' that directs to substance abuse support, and no results are shown for known dangerous challenges.

The term 'chroming' has been used as slang for inhaling toxic fumes since 2006, but has recently gained popularity among younger generations on social media platforms. TikTok has faced criticism and lawsuits over other potentially deadly online crazes, including the 'blackout challenge,' with parents of four British teens reportedly suing the platform over their children's deaths linked to viral challenges in 2022.