Viral Challenge Claims Teen Life
Oklahoma Teen Dies After Viral 'Benadryl Challenge'; Father Warns Other Parents
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Chloe Marie Phillips, a 15-year-old from Enid, Oklahoma, has died after attempting the viral "Benadryl Challenge," her father confirmed. The dangerous social media trend dares users to swallow massive doses of the common allergy pill diphenhydramine to induce hallucinations — and it proved fatal. KCRA and WCVB both confirmed the death after her father, Richard Presson, went public with the news.
Presson had previously spoken to sister station KOCO 5 in an effort to warn other families. "Don't let this be you. Don't let it be your child," he said. "It's not a game." He is now urging parents to stay vigilant about what their children see and do online, according to KETV.
What the Benadryl Challenge Actually Does to the Body
Diphenhydramine — the active ingredient in Benadryl — is safe at 1 to 2 tablets, or 25 to 50 milligrams. The challenge dares participants to take 12 to 25 tablets, or 300 to 625 milligrams, according to the FDA. At those levels, the drug becomes a poison. It can cause the heart to enter a deadly rhythm, trigger seizures, and produce extreme hallucinations.
Dr. Scott Schaeffer, Director of the Oklahoma Poison and Drug Information Center, warned that teenagers often think "over-the-counter" means "cannot be fatal." That assumption is wrong. Most patients survive with hospital care, but doctors estimate 3 to 5 percent of high-dose survivors suffer permanent heart damage, according to the Journal of Medical Toxicology.
A Trend That Keeps Returning Despite Platform Bans
The Benadryl Challenge first spread on TikTok in early 2020. Videos tagged with #BenadrylChallenge racked up over 5.5 million views before the platform removed them. TikTok said at the time: "We do not allow content that encourages, promotes, or glorifies dangerous challenges." But the ban did not stop the trend from coming back.
Chloe's death on August 21, 2020 was one of the first high-profile fatalities tied to the stunt. It was not the last. In April 2023, a 13-year-old boy in Ohio named Jacob Stevens died after a six-day hospitalization following the same challenge, according to the Associated Press. The FDA issued an official safety warning about diphenhydramine overdose in September 2020.
Father's Public Warning Puts Pressure on Parents and Platforms
Richard Presson first shared Chloe's story with KOCO 5 to stop other families from going through the same loss. He described his daughter as a happy, smart student who was not a regular drug user. His message has since reached national outlets including WMUR and KCCI.
Parents like Presson argue that TikTok's algorithm pushes dangerous content to kids who never searched for it. Critics at the Center for Countering Digital Hate say platforms typically only act after a tragedy occurs. These cases have also been cited in Congressional hearings about the Children's Online Safety Act, as lawmakers debate whether platforms can be held liable for promoting self-harm.
What Parents Can Do Right Now
Benadryl is sold over the counter with no age restrictions in most U.S. states. There are no federal rules requiring it to be kept behind the pharmacy counter, though some lawmakers have pushed for that change. That means a teenager can walk into any drugstore and buy it without question.
Experts say parents should talk directly with their children about dangerous online challenges — not just block apps. The National Capital Poison Control Center recommends monitoring medicine cabinets, not just phone screens. If a child ingests a large amount of diphenhydramine, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately. Time matters. Chloe Phillips did not get enough of it.
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