Deodorant challenge on TikTok: dangerous practice has already caused child deaths in Brazil

A dangerous practice known as the “deodorant challenge” has been circulating on TikTok, leading children and teenagers to inhale large amounts of aerosol in search of supposed hallucinogenic effects or to complete viral challenges. This trend, which encourages prolonged inhalation of toxic chemicals, has already resulted in tragedies in Brazil and around the world, with cases of cardiorespiratory arrests and deaths recorded. In Brazil, at least two children died in 2025 after participating in the challenge, reigniting the debate about safety on social networks and the exposure of minors to risky content. Civil Police in different states are investigating how these videos are disseminated and who is responsible for their creation, while parents and experts are calling for greater control over what circulates on digital platforms.

The challenge consists of inhaling the gas from aerosol deodorants for as long as possible, often with the aim of “winning” a competition between friends or gaining prominence on the networks. The practice, however, is extremely dangerous due to the chemical composition of aerosols, which contain substances such as ethanol, butane and propane. These substances, when they reach the lungs, can cause serious inflammation, asphyxiation or cardiac arrhythmias, leading to fatal consequences within minutes. Recent cases in the Federal District and Pernambuco have exposed the seriousness of the problem, with victims aged just 8 and 11.

The ease of access to deodorants, present in most homes, makes the challenge even more worrying. Unlike controlled substances, these products are within the reach of children, who often do not understand the risks involved. The spread of videos on TikTok amplifies the problem, as the platform’s algorithm can promote content seenrals without strict filters, quickly reaching a young and impressionable audience.

Early cases and immediate impact

In early April 2025, an 11-year-old girl, Brenda Sophia Melo de Santana, died in Bom Jardim, Pernambuco, after inhaling aerosol deodorant. She was found by family members in her room, with signs of cardiorespiratory arrest, next to a bottle of the product. Despite being taken to the hospital, she did not survive. Days later, in the Federal District, another tragedy shocked the country: Sarah Raíssa Pereira, aged 8, also died after participating in the same challenge. Rescued after a cardiorespiratory arrest, she arrived at the hospital, but was confirmed brain dead three days later.

These cases, although recent, are not isolated. In recent years, Brazil has recorded at least 27 deaths of children and adolescents linked to dangerous challenges on social media by 2021, according to data from organizations focused on child safety. The practice of the deodorant challenge, in particular, gained momentum with the popularization of TikTok, where short, eye-catching videos attract millions of views in just a few hours.

The Civil Police of Pernambuco and the Federal District opened investigations to investigate the circumstances of the deaths. In Sarah’s case, the victim’s cell phone was seized for analysis, and authorities are seeking to identify whether she had access to specific videos of the challenge and who produced them. The TikTok platform has already been notified to collaborate with the investigations, but responsibility for the dissemination of dangerous content remains a point of debate.

• Aerosol inhalation:Chemicals cause immediate damage to the lungs and heart.
• Young audience: Children are the main victims due to curiosity and lack of supervision.
• Social networks: Algorithms promote viral videos without strict content control.

Chemical Hazards of the Challenge

Inhaling aerosol deodorant is a practice that may seem harmless at first glance, but its effects on the body are devastating. The composition of these products includes volatile solvents, such as butane and propane, which replace oxygen in the lungs when inhaled in large quantities. This replacement prevents adequate oxygenation of the blood, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, fainting and, in severe cases, cardiorespiratory arrest.

Ethanol, present in concentrations of up to 90% in some deodorants, also represents a significant risk. When inhaled, it causes inflammation in the airways and can trigger a chain reaction that affects the heart. Experts explain that the substance quickly reaches the bloodstream, causing arrhythmias that can lead to death within minutes. Furthermore, hydrochloric acid, used as an antiseptic agent in some products, can burn internal tissues, worsening the condition.

Another worrying factor is the accessibility of the products used in the challenge. Unlike illicit drugs, deodorants are available in any supermarket or pharmacy, often for less than R$10. This ease, combined with the lack of information about the dangers, means that children see the practice as a harmless game, without realizing that they are putting their lives at risk.

Previous cases and issue history

The deodorant challenge is nothing new. In 2018, a 7-year-old girl, Adrielly Gonçalves, died in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, after inhaling aerosol inspired by videos on the internet. Two years later, in 2020, a 10-year-old boy lost his life in Belo Horizonte under similar circumstances. In 2022, the death of Iarlen Augusto, aged 12, in Salinópolis, Pará, reinforced the seriousness of the problem, with the victim found unconscious next to a bottle of deodorant.

Outside Brazil, similar cases were also recorded. In 2023, a 13-year-old teenager died in Australia after participating in the challenge, and, in the same year, an 11-year-old boy died in the United Kingdom. These incidents show that the problem transcends borders, fueled by the global spread of dangerous content on social media. The World Health Organization classifies practices like the deodorant challenge as “dangerous games”, listed as behavioral disorders since 2019.

The repetition of these cases over the years highlights the difficulty in containing the spread of viral challenges. Despite efforts to remove dangerous content, new videos continue to emerge, often created by young people who are unaware of the risks or seekingam notoriety online. The lack of effective regulation on digital platforms worsens the situation, leaving parents and authorities on constant alert.

How the challenge spreads across networks

TikTok, with more than 1 billion active users worldwide, is one of the main platforms where the deodorant challenge has been circulating. The structure of short videos, with an average duration of 15 to 60 seconds, facilitates the viralization of content that attracts attention due to its boldness or shock. The platform’s algorithm, designed to maximize engagement, often promotes these videos before they are identified as dangerous.

Children and teenagers are especially vulnerable to this content. A study found that around 40% of creators of videos related to dangerous challenges, such as deodorant, are minors. The combination of curiosity, social pressure and desire for acceptance makes many young people participate without questioning the consequences. Furthermore, the lack of parental supervision when using the internet increases the risk of exposure to inappropriate content.

Brazilian authorities have already notified TikTok in recent cases, demanding information about the creators and the dissemination of the videos. The platform, in turn, claims that it removes content that violates its guidelines, but the speed at which new videos appear makes control difficult. This cycle of creation, virality and removal highlights the need for more proactive measures to protect young users.

• TikTok Algorithm: Promotes viral content quickly, including dangerous challenges.
• Target audience: Children and teenagers are more susceptible to the influence of short videos.
• Platform response: Content removal occurs, but new videos appear constantly.

Impact on families and communities

Deaths caused by the deodorant challenge leave deep scars on families and communities. In Ceilândia, in the Federal District, Sarah Raíssa Pereira’s family opened an online fundraiser to pay for the funeral, as they did not have the financial means to cover the expenses. The loss of the 8-year-old girl generated commotion in the region, with neighbors and friends sharing messages of support on social media.

In Bom Jardim, Pernambuco, the death of Brenda Sophia also shook the city. Family members reported that the girl was happy and curious, characteristics that led her to try the challenge without understanding the risks. The tragedy reinforced the importance of open conversations between parents and children about internet use, but it also exposed the difficulty of monitoring what children access on their cell phones.

These cases have generated debates about the responsibility of digital platforms and the need for digital education in schools. Many families, especially in peripheral areas, face barriers to supervising internet use, whether due to lack of time, knowledge or access to resources. This scenario highlights the urgency of public policies that promote online safety for children.

Authorities and investigations

The Civil Police has worked to clarify the cases and hold those involved in the creation and dissemination of the deodorant challenge accountable. In the Federal District, investigations into Sarah Raíssa’s death focus on analyzing the victim’s cell phone, which can reveal how she accessed the content and whether there was direct encouragement from other users. Those responsible for publishing the videos could be held liable for double homicide, with penalties of up to 30 years in prison, due to the use of dangerous means and the victim being under 14 years old.

In Pernambuco, Brenda Sophia’s case is still treated as a “death to be clarified”, but reports from the Legal Medical Institute must confirm whether aerosol inhalation was the main cause. Police are also seeking to identify patterns in the dissemination of videos, including possible networks of creators that promote dangerous challenges. The notification to TikTok is part of an effort to track the origin of the content and prevent new cases.

In addition to criminal investigations, authorities have demanded greater responsibility from digital platforms. The lack of effective content moderation is a recurring problem, and cases like the deodorant challenge reinforce the need for stricter regulations. Parliamentarians are already discussing bills to increase supervision over social networks, but the implementation of concrete measures is still slow.

Preventive measures for parents

Protecting children from dangerous challenges requires a joint effort between families, schools and digital platforms. Parents can adopt some strategies to minimize risks, starting with open conversations about internet use. Explain theThe dangers of viral videos and encouraging critical thinking helps children question content before following it.

Monitoring cell phone usage time is also essential. Parental control apps allow you to limit access to platforms like TikTok and block inappropriate content. Additionally, keeping devices in common areas of the home, such as the living room, reduces the chance of children accessing dangerous videos unsupervised.

Other measures include:

• Set up age restrictions on TikTok and other social networks.
• Follow the profiles followed and videos liked by children.
• Teach children to report dangerous content directly on platforms.

Timeline of cases in Brazil

Records of deaths linked to the deodorant challenge in Brazil show the recurrence of the problem:

• 2018: 7-year-old girl dies in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo.
• 2020: 10-year-old boy dies in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais.
• 2022: 12-year-old teenager dies in Salinópolis, Pará.
• 2025: Two children, aged 8 and 11, die in April, in the Federal District and Pernambuco.

Global impact of issue

In addition to Brazil, the deodorant challenge and similar practices, such as “chroming”, have caused concern in other countries. In the United Kingdom, a 12-year-old boy narrowly survived after inhaling aerosol in 2024, while in Australia, a 13-year-old girl died in 2023. These cases have led governments to pressure platforms like TikTok for more transparency in content moderation.

The practice of chroming, which involves inhaling other products such as nail polish and paint sprays, is a variation of the deodorant challenge and presents similar risks. In the United States, families have already sued TikTok for deaths linked to viral challenges, such as the “blackout challenge”, which encouraged suffocation. These lawsuits highlight the difficulty of holding platforms accountable for user-generated content.

The World Health Organization warns that “dangerous games” on social media are a public health problem, especially among young people. The classification of these practices as behavioral disorders reinforces the need for global awareness campaigns, but the implementation of practical measures varies between countries.

Challenges for digital platforms

Controlling the spread of dangerous challenges is a complex task for platforms like TikTok. With billions of videos uploaded daily, manual moderation is impractical, and automated systems often fail to identify risky content before it goes viral. Pressure from advertisers and regulators has led to improvements, but the problem persists.

TikTok has already removed videos of the deodorant challenge in response to the reports, but the recurrence of similar content shows that current measures are not enough. Some proposals include limiting the visibility of videos from underage users and investing in artificial intelligence to detect patterns of dangerous behavior. However, these solutions are still in their early stages.

Shared responsibility between platforms, parents and governments is a central point of the debate. While social networks profit from engagement, the consequences of dangerous content fall on families, who often do not have the resources to deal with tragedies. This imbalance fuels criticism of the digital industry and increases the demand for structural changes.

The role of digital education

Teaching children and teenagers to surf the internet safely is an urgent priority. Schools can play a key role by including digital education in their curricula, addressing topics such as the influence of social media and the risks of viral challenges. Workshops for parents are also an effective strategy, helping them understand the platforms their children use.

Government programs aimed at online safety have been implemented in some Brazilian states, but coverage is still limited. In São Paulo, for example, initiatives in public schools already address the dangers of social networks, but the lack of resources prevents expansion to other regions. Collaboration with NGOs can also expand the reach of these actions by offering accessible educational materials.

Collective awareness is another important factor. Campaigns on their own social networks, with influencerswarning about risks, can reach young audiences more effectively than institutional messages. This approach, combined with robust public policies, can reduce the incidence of tragedies such as those caused by the deodorant challenge.