By Park Chung-a
Staff Reporter
The so-called ``Fainting game’’ or ``choking game,’’ which aims at causing a temporary ``high’’ by inducing asphyxia from applying pressure to the neck or chest, has apparently become popular among certain teenagers, causing alarm amongst parents and teachers.
The game leads to fainting as it restricts oxygen and blood flow to the brain creating a tingling or ``high’’ sensation. Children who are eager to experience such a high are often lured into trying the game, sometimes ending in tragedy.
On Saturday, in Gunsan of North Jeolla Province, a 10-year-old boy was found unconscious with a string wrapped around his neck at his home. His father, who first discovered him, took his son to the hospital but the boy died the next day. The police assume that the tragedy was caused by the boy trying the ``fainting game’’ because of the string.
Last July, another teenager fractured his skull when he hit his head against the floor while playing the game in Iksan in the same province.
``I have seen my classmates playing the game at school. It was interesting to see them fainting. The game has become some kind of trend among teenagers,’’ said a 13-year-old middle school student in Iksan. ``My friend told me that it kind of feels like you’re asleep for a long time. Although being only out for a minute, he told me that you feel like you have been asleep all night. I think that kind of high really gets kids attracted to it.’’
Experts point out that potential dangers of the game include bruising, concussion, seizures, brain death or damage, retinal hemorrhaging, strokes and death.
``The signs parents can look for that their children may be participating in the deadly activity includes frequent headaches, bloodshot eyes, bruising around the neck, changes in attitude and disorientation,’’ said Lee Ho, a doctor and professor at Chonbuk National University.
The kids often go out and try things that they definitely would not tell their parents about because they know they would not approve of it, according to school teachers.
``Unfortunately, what happens is a lot is adults don’t know that there is a problem until a tragedy occurs,’’ said Lim Young-sook, a parent of a middle school student in Seoul. ``The level of awareness should be upgraded regarding this matter. Schools should issue warnings in classes against such life-threatening games.’’
michelle@koreatimes.co.kr
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