An 11-year-old boy died after suffocating while playing a game that has become a dangerous new internet craze.

Brandon Stine was found dead in his bedroom at the family home in Detroit, Michigan.

His parents believe he was playing a game called 'pass out', in which people intentionally deprive themselves of oxygen in order to get a quick buzz upon waking up.

The game - also known as the fainting game, tap out, hangman, elevator, and blackout - is often played by groups of teens who partner up and cause each other to lose consciousness, but it can also be played alone.

His mother, Jenny Stine, said she had pleaded with her son not to play the game and that he had told her, 'Mom, I would never do anything that stupid.'

But police searched Stine's Facebook page and found evidence that he had played the game before.

'I just thought we would be best friends forever and he'd always be there for me, and I just never thought in a million years something like this would happen,' said Brian Stine, Brandon's father.

The game has been played for many years but has been receiving increased media attention recently because young people have begun posting pictures and videos of themselves playing it on YouTube and Facebook.

The Dangerous Behaviors Foundation, a nonprofit organization that tries to educate parents about risky behavior among teenagers, said there were 26 reported deaths attributed to the 'pass out' game in the U.S. this year as of late October.

Help: The Dangerous Behaviour Foundation's website offers parents advice on the tell tale signs that their child may be playing the choking game.

Since 2007, claims the foundation's website, 183 people have died playing the game.
Jenny Stine and her family are urging parents to talk to their children about the game and check phones, social media and email accounts for any evidence that they might be playing it.
'You need to talk to your kids over and over again, and check on them constantly and look for signs,' she said.

The DBF website warns: 'The Choking Game has been attracting, injuring and killing teens for generations.

'When played in a group the Choking Game carries risks of seizure, memory loss, broken bones, concussions and potentially death.

'Playing alone drastically increases the likelihood of severe permanent brain damage and death.

'The prevalence of teens knowing about and engaging in this risky behavior is far greater than the level of proactive preventative education.

'Until there is mainstreamed education and awareness, teens will continue to perceive there is minimal danger and that, according to them; "it's just like fainting".

'This needs to stop. Parents need to be aware, as do children, and all who work with youth.'