Have you heard of the 'Choking Game'?
Moms View Message Board: Parenting Discussion: Have you heard of the 'Choking Game'?
Kids across the country are dying from playing the Choking Game. Typically good kids aged 9-14, my son included. Dylan was 11 years old in October 2005 when he decided to try 'playing' the game by himself. I was in the living room and he was in his bedroom, I went to check on him and what I found, no parent should ever find. These children have no intent of ending their lives, they are looking for the 'rush' sensation.
There are warning signs:
*Inexplicable bruises or marks on the neck:
*marks on furniture or closet rods from previous activity
*items tied in strange knots (bed sheets, tee-shirts, belts, shoelaces)
*locked bedroom doors or a need for increased privacy
There are more but keep in mind NONE of these signs are required for a child to be playing.
Dylan had none of these signs and I had never heard of the Choking Game. That alone was a dangerous combination.
My ignorance and his naivety of the activity contributed to his death. Kids think this is 'safe' - it's not illegal or drugs after all. What they don't realize is the extreme danger they put themselves in EVERY time they play. Please take the opportunity I wish I'd had - talk to your kids about it.
Educate yourself and those around you!
For warning signs, parent tips, message board, and more info please go to:
Choking Game Information.
Kate Blake
{{{Kate}}} I'm so sorry you lost Dylan.  Yes, I'm aware of the "Choking Game". Not only have I read about it on the Net, but our school district has sent home information as well. We've had family discussions about it because we want to be sure our kids know how dangerous this game is. I will show them your web site. More HUGS and kudos to your efforts!
(((Kate)))I'm so sorry.I just learned about it this week on Oprah.I was stunned I've never heard about it.Again I'm really sorry.My DD is 7 and I've already taught her that nothing is to go around her neck and that kids have died by doing so.She didnt really understand but it was important for me to get the thought into her head young.(((HUGS)))
{{Kate}}I am sorry for your loss.
I dated a guy in high school who got into this. But not with me. Apparently he liked the rush while engaging in sex. I found out at my 5 year high school reunion that he had died.
I'm so terribly sorry for your loss Kate. I didn't know kids were doing this! I appreciate you sharing this information and possibly saving another life by doing so.
Unfortunately though, I couldn't get the link to work and would like to read more about it.??
I went through the link in your profile. Thank you, and again, I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry for the loss of your son. There was an article about the choking game, in Reader's Digest a few months back. My children were already aware of it. We did talk about it some, back then.
Choking Game Info
Kate i'm so sorry you lost your son. I have heard of the choking game on Oprah and other news type shows. Thank you so much for taking your time to tell us about it on Momsview.
My kids are 5 and 6 and i have taught them that nothing should ever go around their necks, not even their hands.
I'm sure you are saving some lives by speaking out on this.
Again, i'm so sorry.
Kate, you are such a brave woman to share this painful story with the world. Your courage will likely save many lives. God bless you always.
{{{Kate}}} What a tragic story. Thank you for sharing this information and your web site.
I am so sorry for your loss of your precious Dylan.
I have a DS who is 11 and I am going to show him your website and make him aware of this.
Well, I had a good talk with my son (who is 9), and the image of Dylan is something he will not forget anytime soon.
He has never heard of it, but now he knows. He was scared, and almost started crying. Especially when he saw the picture of Dylan. He said, "Why did he do it?" and I said, "Well, I don't really know EXACTLY why, but he probably had friends who told him 'Try it, it's fun.'" Then he said, "Stupid dangerous friends."
I am sure that he was expresing anger at whoever introduced this activity to Dylan. Looking at the picture, it's maddening that such a beautiful happy boy is dead b/c of something so stupid. And, my son probably understands that any friend who gets you to do something so dangerous isn't really your friend at all.
But what he didn't understand, and what I told him, was that probably no one knew that it was dangerous to begin with. Had they known before, they might not have encouraged Dylan to do it. AND if someone, a REAL friend, had told their parents, their parents could have stopped it from happening. That is why we parents are here, to help protect the kids. But if we don't know what they are doing, and no one tells us, then we can't do anything to help.
Thanks, Kate.
fyi - according to dd who is 15 it's also called "space monkies"
so sad and so scary for all of us as parents. I also knew a boy in high school who died this way. I am so sorry for your loss.
Okay, my son has not been able to stop thinking about it. He has spoken to a couple of friends about it just today. I know it happens around our area- I saw on one of the webpages that there had been deaths in nearby towns. But my son said that his friends had never heard of it.
So my question now is: What if I have stirred up something here? What if by my son's mere suggestion of the idea, some kids that he speaks with become curious enough to try it out, regardless of whether or not my son discourages it?
I have told him that as long as he knows that it is wrong, that is the most important thing. and I also cautioned him that he should not go around spreading the word amongst his friends, and that if he HAS to talk about it, he should talk to his teachers, not his classmates or other friends. If it isn't happening at his school, then I don't want him to be the one to inspire curiosity about it. Sheesh. Being a parent can be complicated!
I am so sorry for your loss. It's incredible how generous you are to share this information. God Bless!
Lisa, I have had the same thoughts. I am afraid to tell my kids about it, because i don't want to give them any ideas.
But then of course you have to warn them about the dangers of it.
EXACTLY. In this day and age, you simply can't wait for your kids to come to you with questions. You have to be PROactive as a parent, you can't afford to be REactive. By then it will be too late.
I have already had the drug talk with him, and he knows where babies come from, and that the best time to have sex is when you are married. I have also had a talk with him about predators, internet and otherwise.
So I think I did the right thing by telling him about this choking game. He hasn't said anything about it today, but it must have disturbed him yesterday.
My heart aches for you. That is so horrible to have to go through. There have been some news stories on tv about it b/c of deaths that have occurred. it scares me so bad as a parent.
|
Members
