Despite what you wish the world was like, it IS mainstream. Since the topic of consent has come up, I've gone ahead and looked up the article in question. They put this right up front:

Before we get into the psychology of why people are into choking, it’s important to address that choking during sex is extremely dangerous and should be done with caution. There are many risks. Just because you saw choking in a porn scene or are interested in it, does not mean you should just run off and choke your partner. With so much hardcore porn out there showcasing choking as this “no big deal” kind of thing that apparently happens every time you sleep with someone (it doesn’t), we suddenly have novices out here thinking choking is a first date activity. This is all around a BAD idea.

If you’re interested in choking during sex, you need to be so, so careful. This is not the same as spanking, light bondage, or other forms of kinky play. It is capital “D” Dangerous.

You also need to get explicit verbal consent and negotiate how you’re going to choke your partner before you even think about putting your hands around your partner’s neck. In a recent 2019 study conducted by Debby Herbenick, a professor and sex researcher at the Indiana University School of Public Health, 23 of the 347 female respondents described feeling scared during sex because their partner had tried to choke them unexpectedly.

They are advocating for safety and consent first and foremost. Judge for yourself https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/a26471117/choking-during-sex/