Parents urged to act as inhalant trend sweeps social media and endangers young lives
A disturbing new trend known as “chroming” is sweeping through social media platforms and putting young lives in grave danger. A Welsh secondary school has taken the lead in sounding the alarm, urging families to stay alert and informed after the tragic death of a child in the UK was linked to the craze.
What is ‘chroming’?
Chroming refers to the inhalation of household chemicals such as aerosols, nitrous oxide, solvents, and nitrites to achieve a temporary high. While the effects may seem fleetingly euphoric, the consequences can be catastrophic—ranging from irreversible brain damage to fatal heart and lung failure.
The safeguarding group Safer Schools warns that the trend—though rooted in older substance abuse behaviours—is now being dangerously glamorised online, particularly among impressionable teenagers on platforms like TikTok.
A tragedy unfolds
The shocking consequences of chroming have already been felt across the globe. In the UK, an 11-year-old boy from Lancashire tragically lost his life after reportedly engaging in the trend. His death has served as a harrowing wake-up call for schools, parents, and policymakers alike.
In response to rising concerns, the UK Government acted in November 2023 by classifying nitrous oxide—a commonly abused inhalant—as a Class C drug. Yet despite this move, many of the substances misused in chroming remain distressingly accessible. Everyday items such as glue, deodorant cans, permanent markers, and even cleaning products can be easily found in most homes, making regulation a serious challenge.
Why are young people doing it?
Experts believe several factors are driving this alarming behaviour. Peer pressure, the allure of online trends, and a craving for quick thrills or altered states of consciousness have all played a role. For many young people, the promise of a high appears far more tangible than the potential dangers—especially when the risks are downplayed or ignored in viral videos.
How are substances inhaled?
There are multiple methods used to inhale the chemicals, each of which poses severe risks:
- Spraying: Directly into the mouth or nose.
- Bagging: Spraying into a plastic or paper bag and inhaling the fumes.
- Sniffing: Breathing in vapours directly from containers.
- Huffing: Soaking a cloth with the substance and holding it to the face.
These unregulated methods make dosage impossible to control, drastically increasing the likelihood of overdose, unconsciousness, or sudden death.
Welsh school takes a stand
In Bridgend, Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen has issued a stark warning to families in a letter that lays bare the severity of the issue. The school has taken a proactive stance—one that some would argue is long overdue nationally.
“We are reaching out to raise urgent awareness about a disturbing trend currently circulating among teenagers on social media, particularly TikTok, known as ‘chroming’,” the school wrote.
“This emerging craze has already led to serious health consequences for some young people and, in tragic cases, loss of life. We believe it’s vital for parents and carers of secondary school students to be fully informed.”
The school rightly highlights the unique risk posed by the accessibility of these substances, stressing that children often underestimate the dangers—especially when exposure on social media paints the activity as harmless or even humorous.
“It is particularly dangerous because it can be done relatively quickly using products that are easily accessible in most homes.”
A call to action for parents and carers
The school is urging parents and carers to have open, honest conversations with their children about chroming, helping them understand the real risks behind the so-called trend.
