Computer ban leads to suicide

The sixgrader, whose name was withheld, was announced dead at Muang Samut Prakan Hospital.

A police investigation found that the boy, who appeared distressed, put his bag in a classroom, climbed to the sixth floor balcony of a computer classroom and jumped.

His cell phone showed text messages sent to friends last night saying he felt bad about his father scolding him and prohibiting him from playing computer games. He told them "tomorrow is my last day."

While the boy's father refused to give details, school director Srisakul Kritsanajinda said the incident took place around 7.30am when most students were still travelling to school. She said the boy was tidy and doing moderately well in class, and there was no indication of his impending suicide.

Dr Panpimol Lohtrakul, director of the Rajanukul Institute's mental health department, said such a case was a reflection of failed problemsolving skills between parents and a computergame addicted kid.

Children's addiction to technology media, she said, could lead to family conflict. Some parents who did not communicate well with their kids, or ignored the problem for long, often resorted to a total ban on computer games, forcing a child to quit the activity cold turkey. Such a failing could result in much pressure and a suicide decision.

Panpimol thought in this case however it was not solely the computer game ban that led to suicide. Other pressures may have been involved and the computer game ban was more likely a last straw.

She urged parents to watch their children's behaviour and if they saw an attraction for computer games, parents should set up rules allowing them to play within limits, like certain hours a day or at weekends, she added.

Parents also should try to have them participate in other activities, not just let them play games until they became addicted, she urged.