Theguardian iconTheguardianAug 28, 2026 ~1 min source read

Choking is sold to teens as a safe sexual practice. The research says it never is

There's no safe pressure – and we have to start talking to teenagers about it. When touching someone's throat, it can only take the pressure of a handshake to cause serious injury, unconsciousness or death.

Choking is sold to teens as a safe sexual practice. The research says it never is

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Useful takeaways from this story.

There's no safe pressure – and we have to start talking to teenagers about it.

When touching someone's throat, it can only take the pressure of a handshake to cause serious injury, unconsciousness or death.

These injuries, which include brain damage and stroke, are often internal and invisible, showing up days or even months after the initial incident occurred.

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The useful part

There's no safe pressure – and we have to start talking to teenagers about it. When touching someone's throat, it can only take the pressure of a handshake to cause serious injury, unconsciousness or death. These injuries, which include brain damage and stroke, are often internal and invisible, showing up days or even months after the initial incident occurred.

How it works

  • Choking or sexual strangulation is common among young people, says Prof Heather Douglas of the Melbourne Law School.

What to take from it

many who participate in sexual choking are not aware of the risks.

Details worth keeping

More and more young people are engaging in sexual strangulation.

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