Games adolescents should never play

POLOKWANE – Most parents do not want to believe their children can or will do anything bad, but children do bad things from time to time.

One such thing is playing the choking game.

“This is a game where a child strangles his friend until he passes out,” says Gavin Cocks, the founder of Games Adolescents Shouldn’t Play (Gasp).

“The choking game is a misunderstood activity causing death and suffering to thousands of families worldwide.”

Cocks lost his son to the game in 2004 and has since been educating parents, as well as learners about the game.

“This game is played mostly by children between the ages of nine and 16. It is not race related or a sex game. It usually starts at school and travels from school to school. An older sibling will see it at school and go home and show it to a younger sibling. Friends play it together or children play it by themselves using ropes or belts.”

Cocks says since he started working on this problem, not one child was ever found in any state of undress.

According to Cocks, there are three stages to this game.

The first stage is where the child gets lightheaded. “Most children stop after this stage as they don’t really feel the rush and find the game boring.”

Then you get the euphoric state where the child gets a high.

“If the child reaches this stage, he usually gets addicted to the feeling and continues to play to get the feeling again and again.

The third and last stage is where you release the pressure and the child starts breathing again. This also is addictive.”

Review spoke to a local psychologist, Zelda Buiten-dag about this game.

“The thrill-seeking activity called the ‘choking game’ involves self-asphyxiation or being choked by someone else on purpose. It is also known by other names like blackout game, pass-out game, fainting game, space monkey, dream game, suffocation, roulette, flatliner, California high, American dream, funky chicken, tingling and gasp,” says Buitendag.

Buitendag says children and teenagers are of the opinion that “no one ever dies from fainting”.

“They don’t realise they are playing with fire,” she says. “Playing the choking game can even cause the permanent death of a large number of brain cells. Without oxygen to the brain, a person will suffer noticeable brain damage in only three minutes, increase that to five minutes and a person will die.

“Often the choking game starts out as a group activity, but participants become addicted to the rush and continue to do it alone. Being alone greatly increases the chance that someone will die from this risky game. People playing the game risk stroke, seizures and cardiac arrest and other physical injury.”

Warning signs that your child is playing the choking game include:

• Strange marks on the neck;

• Straps, belts, pet leashes or ropes lying around for no apparent reason;

• Bloodshot eyes or other trauma to the eyes;

• Headaches and loss of concentration, and

• disorientation or grogginess after being alone.

Parents should also be on the lookout for the following:

• Texting: be on alert for these text symbols ;)/// ;;}))).

• Ensure your child has adequate supervision – be aware of your child’s activities and whereabouts.

• If you become aware of a child practising this activity, alert school personnel and the parents of the child.

• If you become aware of your own child participating in this kind of game, consult with a physician to address any health needs that have resulted.

• If an older teen is involved, younger children in the same family may be at risk for participating in this activity.

• Ensure you have open and clear communication channels with your child. Make sure they feel safe and loved. There is nothing that replaces the connection between a parent and child and it is through this channel that you stay up to date with the friends your child keeps and activities he or she participates in.

For more information on Gasp, contact Cocks at 082 410 1984 or send an e-mail to gavin@gasp.org.za or visit www.chokinggame.co.za.