local
Warren mom warns parents after 13-year-old son dies from ‘Choking Game’ challenge
By Amaya Kuznicki at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· June 25, 2026
· 3 min read
A Warren family is grieving the loss of a 13-year-old boy they say died after taking part in the so-called “Choking Game” — a dangerous social media challenge that briefly cuts off oxygen to produce a quick high. Now, his mother is speaking out, hoping her son’s story saves another family from th...
Key takeaway And he would never want that,” said his mother, Erin Bernath.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The tragic loss of 13-year-old Justin Bernath to the "Choking Game" challenge is a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk online for Detroit -area youth. As a community, we must acknowledge the role that social media plays in amplifying these risks, and take steps to educate our children about the devastating consequences of participating in such challenges. The fact that this challenge has been around for decades, but has gained renewed traction through social media, highlights the need for parents, educators, and community leaders to work together to prevent further tragedies. In the Detroit area, where community and family ties are strong, it is crucial that we leverage these relationships to create a safe and supportive environment for our kids to discuss the pressures they face online, and to encourage them to make informed, healthy choices. By doing so, we can honor Justin's memory and work towards preventing similar heartbreak for other families.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Warren family is grieving the loss of a 13-year-old boy they say died after taking part in the so-called “Choking Game” — a dangerous social media challenge that briefly cuts off oxygen to produce a quick high. Now, his mother is speaking out, hoping her son’s story saves another family from th...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Amaya Kuznicki at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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