Dangerous Practice ‘Chroming’ Featured in Videos on Social Media Platform Popular Among Youth

Researchers to present their analysis of TikTok videos showing inhalants use during American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition 

ORLANDO, Fla.— A resurgence of youth seeking a high from “chroming” -- the act of inhaling toxic fumes from household items such as nail polish or permanent markers—could be due to videos featuring the practice on the popular social media platform, TikTok, according to new research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition.

The abstract, “Chroming Crisis: An Analysis of Chroming Related Content on TikTok,” examines chroming-related content on TikTok in order to educate pediatricians on teen usage. Researchers will present their findings at the Orange County Convention Center during the AAP conference Sept. 27-Oct. 1.

“What is particularly concerning about chroming is that it uses everyday household items that are easily accessible to teens,” said Keerthi Krishna, research assistant at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center and first author. “The covert nature of these items means that parents and teachers are less likely to detect the behavior, significantly increasing the risk of repeated usage and addiction among adolescents.”

Chroming, also called “huffing,” typically produces a short euphoric state which creates a high potential for repeated usage and addiction. Inhalant abuse can lead to dizziness, brain damage, and even death.

The authors analyzed 109 videos on chroming that together had gained more than 25 million views.  They collected data on: 1) perceived creator gender; 2) video creator age; 3) meme information; 4) item used; 5) repeated usage. Creator age and repeated usage was either self-reported, or estimated by the coders. A meme was defined as any post that emulates a circulating audio or visual format trend.

Of the videos analyzed, permanent markers (31%, n=34) were the most common chroming item, followed by air duster (17%, n=19), nail polish (12%, n=13), paint thinner (11%, n=12), gasoline (n=12), spray deodorant (n=12), and hair spray (6%, n=7).

More than half of the videos referenced repeated usage or addiction.

The authors conclude that parents and pediatricians need to be aware of this trend and its dangers, and social media companies should do more to prevent the spread of such harmful content.

Media Relations contact: Northwell phone – don’t publicize  (516) 840-0644

Study author Rachel Kim, is scheduled to present the research, which is below, on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 5:15-6:15 pm ET during Session H2020. To request an interview with the authors, contact Ruth Milanaik at RMilanai@northwell.edu.

In addition, Rachel Kim will be among highlighted abstract authors who will give brief presentations and be available for interviews during a press conference from 12-1:30 pm on Saturday in the National Conference Press Room, W208 AB. During the meeting, you may reach AAP media relations staff at 407-685-5401.

Please note: only the abstract is being presented at the meeting. In some cases, the researcher may have more data available to share with media, or may be preparing a longer article for submission to a journal.  

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org. Reporters can access the meeting program and other relevant meeting information through the AAP meeting website at http://www.aapexperience.org/

Abstract

Program Name: 2024 AAP National Conference-Abstracts

Submission Type: Council on Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract Title: Chroming Crisis: An Analysis of Chroming Related Content on TikTok

Shruthi Krishna

Lake Success, NY, United States

“Chroming”, also known as “huffing,” is the act of inhaling toxic fumes from household items such as nail polish remover, permanent markers, and/or aerosol deodorant. Chroming typically produces a short euphoric state which creates a high potential for repeated usage and addiction. Inhalant abuse can lead to dizziness, brain damage, and even death. While chroming isn't a new activity for adolescents, it has resurged with the help of social media apps. TikTok is one such social media platform with children aged 10-19 as its largest user demographic. This study examines chroming-related content on TikTok in order to educate pediatricians on teen usage.

The top TikTok videos labeled with #huffing and #chroming were analyzed (n=400). The following data was collected: 1) perceived creator gender; 2) video creator age; 3) meme information; 4) item used; 5) repeated usage. Creator age and repeated usage was either self-reported, or estimated by the coders. A meme was defined as any post that emulates a circulating audio or visual format trend. Descriptive analysis was conducted in R.

A total of 109 videos (25,705,679 views) met inclusion criteria. The age range of video creators were 39% (n=43) minors, 26% (n=28) college aged, 22% (n=24) young adults, and 13% (n=14) anonymous. 50% (n=54) of creators had a perceived gender of female, while 31% (n=31) were male and 19% (n=21) were anonymous. Markers (31%, n=34) were the most common chroming item, followed by air duster (17%, n=19), nail polish (12%, n=13), paint thinner (11%, n=12), gasoline (n=12), spray deodorant (n=12), and hair spray (6%, n=7) (Table 1). Of the 109 videos, 70% (n=77) were memes; common memes included the phrase “in X years when the [chroming item] catches up to me” (n=17), and a towel and deodorant visual (n=10) (Table 1). Fifty-two percent (n=57) of videos referenced repeated usage or addiction.

Our findings underscore the urgent need for increased moderation efforts from social media platforms like TikTok to stop the dissemination of chroming content. A concerning amount of video creators were minors, highlighting the vulnerability of children engaging in harmful behaviors. Chroming items are often common household items, making them readily accessible and cheap, with a high potential for addiction and severe health consequences. Further, the high prevalence of chroming memes perpetuates its normalization among youth, which may lead individuals to view chroming as a "safer" and socially acceptable alternative to traditional drugs. Thus, there is a strong need for pediatricians to discuss the dangers of chroming with caregivers and patients.

Table 1: Examples of Chroming TikToks