As we all guard against Internet sexual predators and predators in general, I do feel that we have to be on the guard against our children playing this game. In fact they state on their outstanding site, “We have not been able to appreciate the number of deaths to this game. It is our intention to use the information we have to educate as many as possible.” Which loans itself to remembering that phrase, “Forewarned is being forearmed” In monitoring our children’s computers, I have come to learn is to be on the lookout for web sites using the names the names listed above to see if they have a particular interest in this game. If you do see a web site visited by your child using any of these terms, please speak with your child immediately before it’s too late.
In touching upon the sex-game erotic asphyxiation in my previous piece which has a sexual component, this ‘Choking Game’ does not. I was simply amazed as I read one report going onto another just how frightening this game is. You can see for yourself as you will scour what doctors have written of it.
We tend to zero in on how guns are used by children and drugs as well, but as one reads this account coming from one woman, “My nephew died five years ago at age 12 from playing the choking game. He used his plastic-coated bicycle chain lock.” Or in another case in which an ordinary cloth towel hanger was used in a rest room, what can kill our children are often seen by many of us as being harmless.
We have often heard of ordinary cleaning products and glue being used by our children in order to get high, so now we must be on the look out for bicycle chains and rope as well. If our children are seen with blood-shot-eyes it may not be marijuana that is the cause, but them taking part in this ‘Choking Game’.
One doctor opined as I went from link to link said, “It seems to take a tragedy to focus people's attention on a particular issue of this nature.” I could not agree more. Does it have to take a tragedy before we start speaking with our children before they ever attempt to play this game that has deadly consequences? In many cases, yes it does.
In scouring this site, I found this article which gives the warning signs if a child is playing this game. One such warning sign as written by this author is, "The key is recognizing the symptoms of low self-confidence and -esteem." As we all look for high-risk children who are in danger of getting high such as those who may come from broken families, read this, “These children don't do drugs or skip school. They have loving, involved parents who praise their accomplishments and support them when they are struggling.” I am of the opinion if those that are practicing this game come from children and families such as this; something is being missed within society itself. It can also come about due to peer pressure. This is where I find that communication and awareness of this game is paramount. As I looked upon these pictures and hearing from Mary and police officer Scott Metheny, I felt the need to update my readers calling their attention to it. Please take a look at those pictures. These children who are long gone do have a message to send to all of you especially if you have children in your life. Please listen to them. We have often heard that children are our future and as I read Scott Metheny’s plea for donations, then it is up to us to donate what we can on behalf of our children. While he said it is a tax free donation, let that not be the selling point into protecting our children. Let our love of children be the reason. We have heard of the phrase used in Washington, D.C., ‘leave no child behind’ and perhaps it is up to us and not just Washington, to step up to the plate and do so by supporting this effort. I will reiterate Mary’s and Scott’s message to me when they both said, “I thank you for your time”Author’s Note: As always, please feel free to email me concerning this article by writing me at xmjmac@optonline.net
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
