Time to ban video games in the UK.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1588067_coroners-warning-over-call-of-duty-computer-game-after-hanging-tragedy-of-stockport-14-year-old-callum-green

Coroner's warning over Call of Duty computer game after hanging tragedy of Stockport 14-year-old Callum Green Chris Morris

September 05, 2012







Printable Version
Previous
Next





TRAGIC: Callum Green






A coroner has warned against children playing violent computer games
after a teenager hanged himself after playing the war-themed Call of
Duty.
An inquest heard that Callum Jordan Green, 14, regularly played
the game, which features scenes of shooting and killing, despite it
having an 18 certificate.
The youngster had gone to his bedroom to use the computer after
an argument with his family on March 25 last year. He was later found by
his mum hanged.
However, Coroner John Pollard did not blame the game for the fact
that Callum, of Keston Crescent, Brinnington, Stockport, hanged
himself.
But he did warn parents about the dangers of ultra-violent video games.


He said: "Age limitations on these various computer games are
there for a very valid reason. I do see evidence in inquests of
inappropriate games.
"It's very important that young children don't have access to
them. I would make a plea that parents do keep a close eye on what
children do play."
Callum's mother, Emma Green, asked the Coroner if letting Callum play the games 'made her a bad parent'.


She added: "Kids play worse games than that. He was allowed to
play Call of Duty but not other games. I banned him from other games
where they slash throats and stuff."
Friends and former teachers described Callum as a 'happy lad' who
never mentioned committing suicide. The court also heard he was healthy
and was not being bullied.

Tragedy as 14-year-old schoolboy is found hanged at his Stockport home


Teachers in tribute to hanging tragedy boy Callum Green

It left those who knew him unable to explain why he hanged himself. The Coroner said the death was 'somewhat of a mystery'.


He added: "Was it with the intention of killing himself or giving them (his family) a shock? We don't know.


"What we do know is that he knew that family members were in the
house. He, I suspect, would have thought somebody would be around in his
bedroom fairly quickly."
His former girlfriend Chloe Kirkham said Callum told her he
'wasn't happy at home but he didn't say why'. She added he had told her
wanted to run away with her and have a baby.
Ms Green told the inquest she didn't send her son to school on that day as he suffered from a bad knee.


She added: "He was arguing with his sister in the kitchen and a plate got smashed.


"So we told him he wasn't going out and he sat in the front room and had something to eat.


"He went upstairs on the computer. I was watching telly and went upstairs and that's when I found him."


An ambulance was called while his step-dad tried to resuscitate
him. Callum was rushed to Stepping Hill Hospital but declared dead
shortly after.
Callum, who attended Audenshaw School in Tameside where his
family used to live, was described by his head of year, Tracy Kelly, as
'always willing to help'.
An open verdict was recorded at the inquest at Stockport Coroner's Court.