Online gaming bad influences

Theme: Positive and Negative effects on the New Media
• Online gaming bad influences
From: Channel NewsAsia
Text: 16 September 2009
Article: Teens' death fall: suicide

Note: This article has been edited to include important information
For the whole story, read here:
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_430514.html

The two teens who plunged nine floors to their deaths from a bedroom window in Bedok Reservoir area a year ago committed suicide.
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A self-professed medium, Witaya had convinced his group of friends to join him in a suicide pact. He said they had to die to be resurrected as slayers to kill demons and save the world. The group of about seven had been going to his home every Friday since 2006 for rituals and spiritual activities.
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In 2007, he told the group that a world war was coming, and they had to prepare to become slayers, kill demons and save the world. About two months before the incident, he again repeated this. He told them this was their last chance to become slayers and they had no choice.
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On the eve of their plan, the group met in Pasir Ris Park for a barbecue for a friend's birthday celebration. After midnight on Aug 23, Witaya again raised the suicide topic but only one refused and left. The other seven then left with Witaya in two cabs for his home. But upon finding the rooftop entrance locked, they decided to carry out the act in Witaya's bedroom.
There, one backed out as he thought the whole thing was a joke. Despite his pleas to Witaya not to carry out the suicide pact, Witaya was unwavering.
Coroner Yeo said what happened after the 17-year-old left was a disturbing account of which one of them would jump first as the space on the window ledge could accommodate two or three persons at the most.
After Witaya and Chan Hong had leapt from the bedroom window after counting to three, the other five changed their minds after hearing Chan Hong groaning in pain.
Witaya was pronounced dead at about 5.30am, while Chan Hong died about two hours later in hospital.
Coroner Yeo said he felt that the group's close relationship, their group identity and peer influence and, perhaps lack of maturity, could have led them to take part in Witaya's practices and beliefs which in turn gave them a 'sense of purpose and meaning in life'.
'The evidence adduced at this inquiry also revealed that Witaya was very firm about wanting to end his own life, and he was even prepared to do so alone,' he added.