Thursday, March 29, 2007

Is the Media really that Oblivious

to it's own power and role. On Good Morning America this morning there was a segment on this disturbing new trend amongst high achieving students who don't do drugs--asphyxiation. They choke each other to experience the high. This is a dangerous activity and kids get addicted to the high just as they might any other controlled substance. Approximately 40 kids died last year from this activity. In some circles this activity is called "The Choking Game." Game--people really use the word game when talking about this. I can understand teens and pre-teens using the word game--as so much of life is a game to them. But adults and the media calling it a game give the activity a different undertone. It isn't a game. It is a dangerous activity. Let's call it what it is. Just because kids who don't really understand the finality of death and the consequences that can really occur--we were all teens many of them think they are invincible.
I was so angry at Diane Sawyer and the rest of the people on the show who kept calling it a game. Just because that is what it is known as in teen circles doesn't mean that the media is absolved of responsibility to really put the activity in its place. It is a lethal activity that kills kids who want to get high but don't want to do drugs. Please Media outlets know your power. Accept your power. Weild it with thoughtfullness.

Minnow--I promise to listen to you and hope that I do not fail you as a parent. I promise to snoop in your room, and to know who you are hanging out with. I promise you will have little privacy at home--enough to feel safe but not enough to get into serious trouble. I promise that I will work hard to make sure you understand the natural consequences of your actions and will do my best to help you naviagte the increasinlgy dangerous world of being a teen. I will love you and support you and teach you how to make the right decisions.

3 comments:

Karen said...

LOVE your note to Minnow. I'm with you 100%. It's part of why we will check to see where our kids have been online, why we will not be giving our kids computers or TVs in their bedroom, why we will be checking to make sure they did their homework, and why we will call their friends' parents when they say that's where they will be. That's our responsibility has parents. Nice to know we're not alone . . .

Karen in San Diego
http://bsinchina.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I sure wish it wasn't called a "game" either - but the media calls it what it's referred to - and how it's known, so it's really not the media's fault.

This "game" killed my 16 year old son two years ago. We never knew it existed. It's our hope and prayer that our son's death will save other's lives. Yes, kids do foolish things - they don't think they'd ever die. But, it happens, and it's been a nightmare to go through.

Thank you for sharing about it on your blog. Hopefully the awareness of it, will end this "game".

http://joyinthemorning.clubmom.com/joy_in_the_morning/2007/03/new_york_times_.html

Maya said...

100% agreed - NOT a game - additionally there are these people that pass away while, erm, pleasuring themselves and self-strangling. Yo no comprende.

Note to Loni: So sorry for your loss. So sad.