“EVEN SMART, STRONG KIDS
CAN MAKE DUMB CHOICES
WITH DEADLY
CONSEQUENCES”
2010 QUOTE BY roman v
- erik’s friend -
age 12
These are a few of our beloved children who left us far too soon. Their spirit guides and inspires our work to create a safer future for all children and families.
ERIK
ROBINSON
Santa Monica, CA
-
Erik was 12 years old when he died as a result of accidental asphyxiation after participating in the online “Choking Game” (nowadays popularly known as the “Blackout Challenge”) just one day after learning about it. That was April 21, 2010.
Erik was actively engaged in life at school, in Boy Scouts, and baseball. He had definitive plans for the future, including already corresponding with West Point’s admissions department to ensure he would meet their physical fitness requirements when the time came to apply.
— Judy Rogg, Erik’s Mom
January 27, 1998 - April 21, 2010
alex
peiser
Hanahan, SC
-
Alex was 17 years old when he died by suicide after he was influenced by anonymous users online. Alex was a fun, sensitive kid who was active in Boy Scouts, theater, band and his church youth group. He had good grades in school.
— Sharon Winkler, Alex’s Mom
August 10, 2000 - October 10, 2017
Becca
Schmill
Needham, MA
-
Becca was 18 when she died of fentanyl poisoning from drugs she purchased through a social media platform. Becca was a kind, caring person with a gift for making those around her feel loved and appreciated.
— Deb Schmill,Becca’s Mom
October 15, 2001 - September 16, 2020
Bodhi
Lindquist
Milwaukee, WI
-
My beautiful son Bodhi passed away early December 2025 from doing an accidental asphyxiation challenge. While he had numerous health issues (including ASD/ADHD), he was actively engaged in life. He had just turned 15 and was looking forward to going to New York City for Christmas. Bodhi loved japanime, drawing, bike riding and swimming. I miss him dearly as do family and friends.
— Heather Lindquist, Bodhi's mom
November 24, 2016 - December 10, 2025
David
Molak
San Antonio, TX
-
David was 16 when he died by suicide after months of relentless and threatening cyberbullying. In the year leading up to David’s death, he was addicted to internet gaming and social media which caused anxiety and depression. David was an excellent basketball player who had an amazing recollection of sports stats. He was a fantasy football fanatic and never passed up an opportunity to dominate his family in Monopoly.
— Maruine Molak, David's mom
October 10, 1999 - January 4, 2016
Grace
McComas
Woodbine, MD
-
Grace was 15 years old when she died by suicide after being viciously cyberbullied and threatened on Twitter, then sexually harassed and bullied by her school peers. Grace was a wonderful human being who was well-loved. She was a bright light from birth, bouncing and happy, and grew into a deeply kind and gregarious teen with a great sense of humor. Grace was active in school activities including sports, music, and community service.
— Christine McComas, Grace’s Mom
October 9, 1996 - April 8, 2012
Griffin McGrath
“BUBBA”
Madison, WI
-
Griffin was 13 years old when he died as a result of accidental asphyxiation after participating in the online “Blackout Challenge.” Griffin was an extraordinary and wickedly smart child. He placed third in the National Science Bowl competition just two weeks before he passed. Most of all he was a kind-hearted soul and touched everyone he met with his brilliance, genuineness, and quick wit.
— Annie McGrath, Griffin’s Mom
March 19, 2004 - February 28, 2018
Jack
McDonough
Green Bay, WI
-
Jack Dyer McDonough was my only child and his life mattered to me and many others. Jack was a gifted artist, an athlete and a skilled hunter who cherished spending time with his friends and family. Jack was excited about the future, a future that he would never have a chance to realize. Jack died on December 3, 2022 after purchasing one pill he believed to be Percocet and was fentanyl.
Almost three years into grieving Jack’s death from fentanyl poisoning, the Big Tech companies that allow platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Snapchat to function as open-air drug markets continue to deny accountability and block reform The time for accountability is now. Our children’s lives depend on it.
— Carrie Baeten, Jack’s Mom
September 22, 2004 – December 3, 2022
Mason
Bogard
Evansville, IN
-
Mason was 15 years old when he died as a result of accidental asphyxiation after participating in the viral social media “Choking Challenge.” Mason was a normal teen who went to a good school, had great friends, and lived a healthy lifestyle. He was generous, kind, spiritual, and loved deeply. He enjoyed fishing, hiking, camping, woodworking, and entertaining his friends and family with his witty humor.
— Joann Bogard, Mason’s Mom
Jamuary 23, 2004 - March 4, 2019
Matthew E.
Minor
Accokeek, MD
-
Matthew E. Minor was 12 years old when he died on March 7, 2019, as a result of accidental asphyxiation after participating in the online “Blackout Challenge.” He was a sweet, loving, carefree, and energetic boy with a charismatic personality—compassionate, affectionate, and known for his big hugs. Matthew loved being active, playing football and basketball, practicing martial arts, and spending time outdoors. He also cherished school, church, and praying with family, especially during gatherings at the family farm in Tappahannock, Virginia.
Seven years later, we continue to honor our beautiful son on his angelversary. While we can never get back what was lost, we are committed to raising awareness in our communities about the dangers of online harms. We believe that if the Kids Online Safety Act had been in place, this tragedy may have been prevented. We strongly support its passage so that what forever changed our family’s life does not happen to other children and families. As the justice system begins to recognize the role of social media companies, we remain hopeful that accountability will bring meaningful change.
— Todd and Mia Minor, Matthew’s parents
December 20, 2006 - March 7, 2019
McKenna
Brown
Tampa Bay, FL
-
McKenna was 16 when she died by suicide after being cyberbullied on social media. She was a gifted high school senior who had a way of making every person she encountered feel like they were the most important person in the room. McKenna had many future plans, including college hockey, flag football, and travel. She cared infinitely, was fiercely loyal, and always saw the good in everyone around her.
— Cheryl Brown,McKenna’s Mom
September 6, 2005 - August 7, 2022
Walker
Montgomery
Starksville, MS
-
Walker was 16 years old when he died by suicide after he was sextorted by an anonymous online predator on Instagram. Walker was a well adjusted teenager with a great social circle. He had no depression or social problems at all.
— Brian Montgomery, Walker’s Dad
November 1, 2006 - December 1. 2022
GAGE
DOBSON
Basking Ridge, NJ
-
Gage was a smart, curious, and kind 14-and-a-half-year-old who loved making people laugh. He enjoyed soccer, video games with friends, and helping others whenever he could. Easygoing and generous, he was the kind of kid everyone loved to be around—always ready with a smile, a big hug, or support for a friend. He was also naturally cautious and not someone who sought out risky behavior.
Gage was introduced to the “pass out” or “choking” challenge through videos on YouTube and Instagram. What he and his friends saw looked harmless—kids smiling, laughing, laughing, and treating it like a game. That false sense of safety made experimentation feel normal, and it tragically led to his death.
We learned the hardest way possible that this can happen to any family. You trust your child to recognize danger—but when risky behavior is repeatedly presented as fun and harmless, their sense of risk changes. That is why we need stronger education in schools about online harms, along with real accountability for platforms. We need duty of care protections like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), stronger age verification, and safer product design standards that put children’s safety before engagement and profit.
– Laurie and Bill Dobson, Gage’s parents
August 27, 2002 - February 28, 2017