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Xbox Addict 'dies from Blood Clot'

CrazyFrog1903

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25 Apr 2006
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I found this story. I would consider this a no brainer. I know my son is required to spend an equal amount of time outside during the day as he does on the games. But this is a good warning for gamers to get up and stretch or walk around every now and then...

The family of a budding computer programmer have on Saturday launched a campaign to raise awareness about the health risks of playing online computer games after their son died following a marathon session on his Xbox.

A post-mortem revealed that 20-year-old Chris Staniforth -- who was offered a place to study Game Design at Leicester University -- was killed by a pulmonary embolism, which can occur if someone sits in the same position for several hours.

Deep vein thrombosis normally affects passengers on long-haul flights, but medical experts fear youngsters who spend hours glued to their consoles might also be at risk and have urged them to take regular breaks.

Professor Brian Colvin -- an expert on blood-related conditions -- said it was "unhealthy" for youngsters to spend long periods in front of their consoles.

"There's anxiety about obesity and children not doing anything other than looking at computer screens," he told The Sun.

David Staniforth has now launched a campaign to warn other parents of the dangers.

"Games are fun and once you've started playing it's hard to stop.

"Kids all over the country are playing these games for long periods - they don't realise it could kill them," he told The Sun.

A coroner's court in Sheffield was told how the youngster -- who had no underlying medical conditions -- was complaining of a low heart rate before collapsing outside a Jobcentre.

Staniforth's distraught father said his son would spend up to 12 hours playing on his Xbox.

"He got sucked in playing Halo online against people from all over the world."

Online computer games are extremely popular as thousands interact in shared science fiction worlds.

Reports of gamers collapsing after spending 15 hours in front of video games are fairly common throughout Asia.

In 2005, a South Korean gamer died after playing online games for three days without taking a break.

Microsoft -- which manufactures the Xbox -- said it "recommend gamers take breaks to exercise as well as make time for other pursuits."
 

Adm_Z

Gettin' down and GUI!
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23 Nov 2009
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Its sad yet ironic...yet sad. :( I too see many friends who sit still way too long every day. I honestly feel uncomfortable if I sit too long on my computer. I tell myself I don't like to feel lazy, but then again it may be a form of deep rooted ADD.:lol2:
 

CrazyFrog1903

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I am the same way.... You can ask DarkAngel...I don't sit in front of the computer the same way constantly... I have three or four ways I keep moving around to...LOL
 

Terra_Inc

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Heh. I study Computer Science, so for me it's probably an occupational disease... :cry2:
 

CABAL

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I just can't sit that long. Eventually, I have to pause, get up, and walk around or I start getting really fidgety.

Anyway, that whole thing is really sad. I hope his family is doing OK.
 

CrazyFrog1903

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I just hope they don't get the urge to sue Microsoft just b/c their son decided to sit and play the game.
 

Majestic

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I just can't sit that long. Eventually, I have to pause, get up, and walk around or I start getting really fidgety.

Not to mention toilet breaks, sore backsides and such. 6 hours was the longest Kat and I sat in front of the Xbox and that was with drink and toilet breaks, how this bloke stayed there that long is beyond me.

I just hope they don't get the urge to sue Microsoft just b/c their son decided to sit and play the game.

I would assume there is a notice about this in the user-manual that comes with the console. I know there is something stating about only playing it for so long without breaks. Yeah few read these as they are too excited when that new console comes. I really think if the family tried they wouldn't have much luck.
 

CrazyFrog1903

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I would assume there is a notice about this in the user-manual that comes with the console. I know there is something stating about only playing it for so long without breaks. Yeah few read these as they are too excited when that new console comes. I really think if the family tried they wouldn't have much luck.

I doubt they would not have any luck but doesn't mean they wouldn't want to blame someone other than their own son.
 
T

thunderfoot

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Former MSFC Member
Whenever I see or hear of something like this, it always seems everyone is trying to affix blame for the incident to the company or person who made the game or the console. I wonder how many people were killed on the same day by washing machines? Or power tools? Yet no one ever sees a news item about the public startup of a support group for circular saw tragedy survivors. Has anyone ever seen a Maytag with a warning label attached, required by law, about the dangers of washing too much laundry? I think there is entirely too much carrying on about incidents like this.

Went and looked this story up online. 12 hours of HALO? MiGawd! Why would anyone do this to themselves? I especially like how yet again we see a story which portrays online PC/console gaming as bad for you. Along with the slight twists which sensationalize the tragedy of this family to 'drive home with the readers that we care!". The XBox did not kill him. It could not unless he jumped into a bathtub full of water with it still plugged in. His behavior killed him. Had he used the thing responsibly, he'd still be alive. Why did his parents not take steps before his death to prevent this behavior from starting or developing? Were they far too busy with their own lives to take the time needed to raise the boy correctly? Please understand I am not trying to be harsh or judgmental here. My own children are in the same age bracket as this young man. And I most definitely believe there is no more horrible thing to happen to any person than to outlive their children. Like our favorite insane amphibian, I too make my children go and do other things to take a break from the online world. Life should not be treated as a spectator sport.
 

CrazyFrog1903

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I completely agree with you thunderfoot. People need to learn good and proper habits. When I gave my son his Xbox360 for his birthday. He had 2 requirements to keep it. One was maintain good grades through out the school year and two was to spend and equal amount of time outside as he does on the game system. He does try to wheel and deal w/ me sometimes...lol
 

EAS_Intrepid

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I have to agree with thunderfoot as well. It is not the game console that was the cause for his death, though it is considerably involved.

Can't imagine myself to sit through more than an hour straight. Longest time is probably 45 minutes, since my lessons waaaay back in school lasted that long.
 
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