In Warren, a grieving mother is speaking out after her 13-year-old son, Justin Bernath, died following a dangerous online stunt known as the “choking game.” Justin’s family describes him as a sports-loving, community-minded kid, and his sudden death has left relatives and friends reeling. His mother, Erin Bernath, has started sharing their story publicly, hoping that what happened in her home will convince other parents that an online “challenge” can turn into a life-or-death risk.
Justin died on June 9 after taking part in the trend, according to ClickOnDetroit. Erin told the station, “He would have never wanted to die, never,” and relatives say she is channeling her grief into a warning for families who might be tempted to shrug off the challenge as harmless teen experimentation.
The choking game, also called the pass-out game or strangulation activity, involves intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain in order to feel a brief high. It can cause seizures, permanent brain damage or death. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention documented at least 82 unintentional strangulation deaths tied to this activity among U.S. youths between 1995 and 2007, and found that victims were typically in early adolescence. Public health officials say awareness and early, direct conversations with kids are crucial to prevention. The CDC has urged parents, educators and health care providers to recognize the warning signs.
Warning signs parents should watch for
Health groups and advocates point to a cluster of red flags that may signal strangulation activities: bloodshot eyes, marks or bruising on the neck, frequent unexplained headaches, and confusion or disorientation after a child has been alone. Parents might also notice ropes, belts or unusual knots in bedrooms or personal spaces. Sudden secrecy, sharp mood changes and an online history that includes risky trends or how-to videos are also common indicators that a child may have seen or tried the stunt.
The DB Foundation maintains educational materials, warning-sign checklists and a victims map aimed at helping families, schools and communities recognize and respond to strangulation activities before they turn deadly.
Family calls on platforms to act
In the wake of Justin’s death, Erin Bernath and other relatives are urging social media companies to pull down videos that show or explain how to do the choking game. The family has rallied around the phrase “Justin Strong” and launched a GoFundMe in his memory. Station coverage notes that TikTok, Meta and YouTube were contacted about how they handle removal of this kind of content, but had not responded by the time of the report. Justin’s grandmother told the station, “If we can help one family not feel the grief that we have, it will be worth it,” according to ClickOnDetroit.
Experts say parents who are worried about what their kids might be seeing online should reach out to pediatricians, school counselors or mental health professionals, and keep a closer eye on younger children’s internet use. Public health groups recommend open conversations about peer pressure, clear rules around risky challenges and keeping devices in shared areas of the home to limit exposure to dangerous content. For more on the risks and suggestions for talking with children, families can consult resources from the CDC and choking-game awareness organizations.
