A teenager described as “loving” has passed away following involvement in a risky social media craze. Tiegan Jarman, a resident of Thurmaston, Leicestershire, was discovered unresponsive in her room on March 6. Upon emergency services’ arrival at her residence, efforts were made to revive her, but unfortunately, the 13-year-old was declared deceased on-site.
According to statements from Tiegan’s family to LeicestershireLive, her demise was linked to an online phenomenon known as chroming, which entails inhaling harmful fumes from everyday household items to experience a brief high. Her stepfather, Rob Hopkin, expressed uncertainty regarding Tiegan’s prior engagement in chroming, noting her use of at least one deodorant can during the incident. He further conveyed the profound impact her loss has had on their family, altering their lives permanently.
Living with her father, Paul Jarman, at the time of her passing, Tiegan was described as an affectionate and adventurous individual. Her father fondly remembered her endearing qualities, highlighting her warmth, humor, and unique personality that brought joy to their lives. Reflecting on the tragedy, he acknowledged the significant void left by her absence and emphasized the need to remain resilient in the face of grief.
In a bid to raise awareness about the perils of social media, Tiegan’s family advocates for greater vigilance and regulation on online platforms. They stress the importance of platforms taking responsibility for monitoring harmful trends, such as chroming, that pose immediate threats to users. In an effort to prevent similar tragedies, Tiegan’s sister, Alisha, initiated an online petition urging for comprehensive education on social media risks and enhanced warning labels on products susceptible to misuse.
Through the petition titled ‘Enforce warnings on solvent products and educate on risks’ on Change.org, the family aims to advocate for stricter regulations on product labeling and integration of social media safety education within school curriculums. Emphasizing the necessity for explicit warnings on solvent products and dedicated instruction on the dangers of online trends, they seek to empower individuals, particularly the youth, with essential knowledge to safeguard against such hazards.