“It is better to prepare and prevent than it is to repair and repent” – Erza Taft Benson
The “pass out” challenge is becoming recently one of the trendiest games to be played almost everywhere among children and teens. The game involves two persons: It consists of one person strangling and applying pressure to the chest of the other person until he or she passes out. The person then awakes with a “high” feeling and becomes addicted to trying it again and again. Children are not aware of the consequences involved and this game is putting their life at risk! The challenge is so risky that it can lead to serious injury or death.
There are multiple reasons behind children and teens playing this dangerous game:
-Children and teens are being peer pressured to do it.
-It is a kind of being popular and impressing friends.
–The experience provides an euphoric feeling similar to being under the effect of drugs or alcohol.
-Children, and especially teens feel they are in control of something, and the feeling is so rewarding for them.
What can you do as a parent?
- Get informed as much as you can about the challenge: how it is being played; its signs on children; and its harmful effects on the brain and the body. It is everywhere on internet and youtube.
- Educate your child and create awareness around it by explaining its serious danger
- Monitor your child’s social media use: children are easily affected by what they constantly watch on YouTube, face book and other internet sites.
- Teach them to say NO: let them understand they don’t have to do things they don’t want to do only to please others.
- Boost your child’s self confidence by proposing he or she gathers information about the subject and explain it to friends in order to prevent the incidence from happening.
- Let them inform you if anyone in their circle of friends is playing it, so you can quickly warn their parents.
Do not take things for granted! Even if you think that your child might not engage in such games, remember that you are responsible for the safety of your children. A good awareness and a strong communication are always a key to avoid them being in a jeopardized situation!
Haifa Dada
Youth, Parent and Family Coach
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