A CBS reporter called me yesterday to get my opinion on a story about a teenager who decided to play chicken with a train. The teenager lost his life in the split second between giving in to peer pressure and listening to his own common sense. His parents are convinced online videos encouraged him to try the stunt. My heart goes out to them. The reporter and I couldn’t believe the hundreds of videos we found of people, both young and old, playing the same game on YouTube. It was truly chilling.
It made me think of my own two teenagers. How could something like this happen? How could the Internet be such a wonderful learning tool, yet cause such needless destruction of a young life?
The story was posted at http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/22234249/teen-killed-while-playing-chicken-with-train-in-rome and also played on the 5 pm news.
I decided to post the comments that didn’t air in the video above to elaborate on a subject many of us parents are struggling with in today’s world of easy access to information via technology. I too struggle with how much Internet time is too much. I struggle with saying no to certain games, videos and shows.
What parents need is more daily communication with their kids, even when it’s hard and time is tight. Daily communication would be my personal first step in helping my kids navigate the waters between peer pressure and common sense.
The next step is being able to say “no” when they want to hang out with people I find questionable or when they want to watch things both online or offline that don’t support the value system we’ve taught them.
The best lesson we can teach them is how to love themselves enough to make the best decisions for their own personal well-being when we’re not around.
Please feel free to leave your ideas and comments below. How do you start these conversations? Where are they best facilitated? In the car? At home? How do we ask the right questions without making them feel we’re prying? Let us know.
