It was an ordinary Friday night in Melbourne—one that should’ve ended with laughter, sleepover snacks, and quiet goodbyes the next morning. Instead, it ended with a phone call no parent ever wants to receive.
Esra Haynes was just 13 when she became the latest victim of a dangerous social media trend known as “chroming.” What began as an impulsive moment among friends turned into something irreversible. And now, her grieving family is speaking out, hoping their daughter’s story will become a catalyst for change.
According to News.com.au, the incident happened during a sleepover on March 31. Esra had used a can of deodorant to inhale fumes—a method of chroming that some teens falsely believe is harmless. But almost immediately, the consequences became clear. Esra went into sudden cardiac arrest.
Paramedics arrived quickly and worked to revive her. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors placed her on life support. For eight days, her parents—Paul and Andrea Haynes—and her older siblings, Imogen, Seth, and Charlie, stayed by her side, holding on to hope as long as they could.
Eventually, the doctors delivered the heartbreaking news:
“Her brain was damaged beyond repair.”
“They’re asking us to bring a family, friends to say goodbye to our 13-year-old daughter,” Paul said in an interview with A Current Affair. “It was a very, very difficult thing to do to such a young soul.”
“To get this phone call at that time of night, (it) was one of the calls no parent ever wants to have to receive and we unfortunately got that call: ‘Come and get your daughter.’
We’ve got the pictures in our mind which will never be erased, you know, of what we were confronted with.”
The family “cuddled her until the end.”
What Is Chroming?
Chroming refers to the inhalation of volatile substances—such as aerosol sprays, solvents, and other household chemicals—to achieve a brief euphoric high. The term originated from inhaling chrome-based paint fumes but now includes a wide range of common products.
Because these items are both legal and easily accessible, they’re often misused by teens who may not realize how dangerous they are. Chroming can cause sudden heart failure, brain damage, organ failure, and even death.
A National Pattern, A Growing Concern
Esra’s death is not an isolated case. In 2019, a 16-year-old New South Wales boy died after inhaling an aerosol. In 2021, a 16-year-old girl in Queensland suffered brain damage. In 2022, another 16-year-old boy from Victoria died after sniffing deodorant.
In response, several Coles and Woolworths stores across Australia began locking up deodorant cans in 2021, amid rising reports of chroming and product thefts. Following Esra’s death, the Victorian Education Department accelerated efforts to provide children with more education around chroming and its risks. Medical experts have also issued public warnings about the severe dangers of inhalant misuse.
Still, Esra’s family believes far more must be done.
“For me, it’s a pistol sitting on the shelf,” Paul said of the deodorant cans.
“We need the manufacturers to step up and really change the formulation or the propellants.”
They are also urging that CPR be taught in all Australian schools—with skills refreshed every two years—to ensure more people are prepared to respond to medical emergencies like Esra’s.
“We need to really lock down on the loopholes” that kids slip through to get access to “adult content.”
The family believes Esra learned about chroming through social media and is calling for greater platform accountability to prevent dangerous content from reaching impressionable audiences.
“Kids don’t look beyond the next day, they really don’t. And especially not knowing how it can affect them,” Paul said.
“Esra Would Never Have Done This If She Would Have Known”
Image via A Current Affair (9now)
“Esra would never have done this if she would have known the consequences.”
“But the ripple effect is that this is absolutely devastating,” Andrea added.
“We’ve got no child to bring home or anything.”
“We want to help other children not fall into the silly trap of doing this silly thing. It is unquestionable that this will be our crusade,” Mr Haynes told the Herald Sun.
“No matter how much you lead a horse to water, anyone can drag them away. It is not something she would have done on her own.”
The Haynes family has lost a daughter and sister. Esra’s Australian Football League club has lost a teammate and co-captain. Her friends have lost a loyal companion. And her community has lost a promising young woman.
The Influence of Social Media on Teen Risk-Taking
Social media plays an enormous role in the lives of today’s teens. It can be a space for self-expression and connection—but it also exposes young users to risky challenges and viral trends, often without context or caution.
During early adolescence, the brain regions responsible for impulse control and decision-making are still developing. Research shows that for girls between ages 11 and 13—and boys between 14 and 15—heightened social media use can contribute to declining life satisfaction. When trends like chroming emerge online, they can appear deceptively harmless.
Esra’s family believes that stronger guardrails on platforms, alongside education at home and in schools, are essential.
Public Health and the Push for Prevention
Health officials and community advocates continue calling for broader awareness campaigns. Dr. Jeremy Hayllar, Clinical Director of Brisbane’s Biala Community Health Service, has warned that inhalant use can cause lasting damage to the brain, liver, heart, kidneys, and bone marrow.
While some retailers have taken precautions, experts agree more coordinated public health efforts are needed to reduce access and increase education—before more young lives are lost.
How Parents Can Talk to Kids About Online Dangers
For parents, the most effective approach often begins with conversation. Experts like Dr. Stacey Doumas recommend open, ongoing communication about internet safety and peer pressure—conversations that focus on trust and understanding rather than fear.
By creating a space where teens feel heard and informed, parents can help their children better navigate online spaces and real-world risks.
Carrying Her Name Forward
Despite their unimaginable grief, the Haynes family is turning pain into purpose.
“We need to talk about it,” Paul said. “Her name meant ‘helper’ so that’s what we’re here to do.”
Through advocacy, education, and heartfelt honesty, they are choosing to honor Esra’s life by helping others.
Because she should still be here.
Featured image from 9now