I am a huge fan of Criminal Minds I DVR it so I don’t miss an episode. Last night the producers covered a very serious true fad rising among teens, known as The Chocking game or The Good Kids High. Of course the producers put their spin on it to add the drama of someone daring the kids to do it, but the sad truth is teens are doing it everywhere without being dared.
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/criminal_minds/video/?pid=RAw47DfqIsMoLYFNtWllm5IrAoGD1jWi&nrd=1
Unfortunately since this is the new wave of fades there were no no public data bases that track injury or death as the result of the chocking game The DB Foundation working with the CDC now keeps a Choking Game Victims Database a list of deaths or injuries due to the game which you can assess from this link.
http://www.chokinggame.net/Choking_Game_Victims_Database.html
The cases are obtained like the CDC through the media and direct parent contact
In 2008, the CDC reported on its first investigation into the chocking game based on the media and direct parent contact. Their result will astonish you. They came up with 82 probable deaths from 1995 through October 2007 the ages ranged from 6 to 19 years old with the peak age being 13.3 with 87% male. The DB Foundation current list includes 490 fatal cases in the U.S. ranging from age 6 to 21 with the same peak as the CDC at about 13 to 14 years of age; however, it is assumed that many true cases are not reported to the media or foundation for obvious reasons.
The DB Foundation lists the following as warning signs or symptoms that your child is playing the deadly game. Some or none of these signs may be present:
• Frequent often severe headaches
• Inexplicable bruising or red linear marks around the neck
• Bloodshot eyes and or Petechiae (tiny red dots) on their face
• Change in attitude (overly aggressive)
• Disorientation and/or grogginess after being alone
• Unusual demands for privacy
• Curiosity about asphyxiation
Signs in the home may include:
• Locked or blocked bedroom/bathroom doors
• Ligatures (bed sheets, belts, tee-shirts, ties, or ropes) tied in strange knots and/or found in unusual places
• Internet history of websites or chat rooms mentioning asphyxiation or Choking Game
• Wear marks on furniture (bunk beds, closet rods)
This is a serious fad rising among our youths and it is also the new taboos don’t talk about it and that means it doesn’t exist. That is why I’m saying Kudos to the Criminal Minds for contributing to the awareness of this game as the kids call it, so that maybe more parents will become aware.
For more information on the subject go to http://www.chokinggame.net/
