In an age where children are getting smartphones at younger ages, the dangers of the internet are more present than ever. One mother, Joann Bogard, knows these dangers all too well and has made it her mission to protect other children from the same fate as her son, Mason, who tragically died in viral “Blackout Challenge.”
A Tragic Loss
Mason was an energetic and curious teenager who, like many others his age, found himself drawn to the allure of online challenges. Despite his mother’s best efforts to protect him, including using watchdog apps and having open conversations about internet safety, Mason fell victim to the “Choking Game” on May 1, 2019. The dangerous challenge, also known as the Blackout Challenge, involves cutting off oxygen to the brain to experience a temporary high. Tragically, Mason was found unconscious in his room, and days later, his family made the heartbreaking decision to remove him from life support.
Joann’s grief was compounded by the knowledge that Mason wasn’t the only child to fall victim to this deadly trend. According to a report by The Independent, the Blackout Challenge was responsible for at least 20 child deaths in an 18-month period, including those of a 9-year-old girl from Milwaukee and an 8-year-old from Texas.
Turning Grief into Action
Determined to prevent other families from experiencing such loss, Joann has become an advocate for online safety. In 2023, she worked with Indiana Senator Jim Tomes to introduce a bill in honor of Mason, promoting internet safety education in schools. This effort led to the passing of “Mason’s Education Act,” which was signed into state law by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb in March 2024.
Joann’s advocacy didn’t stop there. She took her fight to Washington, D.C., where she spoke to lawmakers before the Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act in July 2024. This bill, which aims to enhance protections for children online, is now awaiting approval from the House of Representatives.
A New Vision for the Internet
Joann is also a vocal supporter of Project Liberty, an initiative led by billionaire Frank McCourt, which seeks to “reinvent the Internet with more privacy protections.” The goal of Project Liberty is to create a safer online environment where parents have greater control over what their children can access. “It would be a new internet, where people decide the safety features they want,” Joann explained. “You could say, ‘My kid can’t see this’ — and nobody could see your kid online.”
Reflecting on the potential of such an internet, Joann shared, “If this type of control would have been available five years ago, I have no doubt my son would still be here.”
A Continuing Mission
Joann Bogard’s journey from grieving mother to online safety advocate is a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting children in the digital age. Her efforts, from pushing for legislation to supporting innovative internet reforms, are driven by a simple yet profound goal: to ensure no other parent has to endure the loss she has suffered. Through her work, Joann is making a lasting impact, helping to create a safer, more secure online world for future generations.
