A COD4 clan kidnapped my son!

[Sephora]

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/521731

I have to say I feel pretty bad for these parents. I think they did the right thing, in trying to limit the amount of video-game playing the son was doing. I'm sure alot of parents are struggling with WOW addictions, etc.

That said, I think it's a been of a stretch to presume a COD clan would be involved in the kidnapping. I think calling it a 'clan' doesn't help matters, and people will misconstrue this article a bit.

Here's hoping they find the kid.

[mariokarter]

its seems completely speculative. Maybe he ran away from home for some completely unrelated reason?

[appleb]

"I'm worried he has met someone online through this game. It could be organized crime or someone involved in Internet gambling. Pedophiles can stalk kids through these games," the tormented father said in an interview last night.

Yeah, that's it. It was organized crime that instigated the child to run away from home.

It says right in the article the reason he ran away from home was because the parents took away his xbox.

[Impossibles]

Nothing says "please don't go, I love you" like helping pack your kid's bags when they threaten to run away.

That said, 9 days without contact...thats very concerning.

[skeletor]

lol stupid kid.. I don't get how these parents would allow this kid to play games for unhealthy lengths on end consistently for as long as 18 months. Especially when his grades start to slip, he should have been confronted then...

*removed*

[numnum]

This sounds like a pathetic attempt to grab media's attention if you ask me.

Who helps their kid pack and then expects them not to leave?

And blaming the internet for brainwashing their kid to believe that it would be better out there then at home just goes to show there was something wrong at home. They should be blaming themselves first. For not teaching their son to know better.

Then again, nine days is a really long and there's no follow up story on whether the kid's come home by now.

[Setz]

man if i could play cod4 all day... i'd do some crazy ****

[Impossibles]

lol stupid kid.. I don't get how these parents would allow this kid to play games for unhealthy lengths on end consistently for as long as 18 months. Especially when his grades start to slip, he should have been confronted then...
[/IMG]

I once rented a room in a basement, the son of a family also lived in the basement. The mother warned me that I couldn't get high speed internet because the son had an online gaming addiction. I didn't really believe it until I saw this kid play Diablo straight through the night day after day. He would play until 6 or 7 then sleep until 3 or 4.

Its a little difficult for parents to monitor a kid 24 hours a day, especially at night when they have computers in bedrooms.

[mariokarter]

I once rented a room in a basement, the son of a family also lived in the basement. The mother warned me that I couldn't get high speed internet because the son had an online gaming addiction. I didn't really believe it until I saw this kid play Diablo straight through the night day after day. He would play until 6 or 7 then sleep until 3 or 4.

Its a little difficult for parents to monitor a kid 24 hours a day, especially at night when they have computers in bedrooms.

Well if the computer was in the family room it would be easier to monitor right?

[warren_s12888]

Kid must be using UAV Jammer

[ericssonboi]

Kid must be using UAV Jammer

UAV Jammer!!! :lol:

[edgedamage]

I once rented a room in a basement, the son of a family also lived in the basement. The mother warned me that I couldn't get high speed internet because the son had an online gaming addiction. I didn't really believe it until I saw this kid play Diablo straight through the night day after day. He would play until 6 or 7 then sleep until 3 or 4.

Its a little difficult for parents to monitor a kid 24 hours a day, especially at night when they have computers in bedrooms.
Most routers can set time limits to connected computers. But if someone really needs to get online they can find ways.

[Impossibles]

Well if the computer was in the family room it would be easier to monitor right?

The guy was 19 years old, and he paid for his computer. Its not uncommon at all for kids to have computers in their rooms.

[goJays]

^^ the original YOU ARE GOING TO GET RAPED picture is better. u know, the guy who REALLY owns that brown leather coat.

[mariokarter]

The guy was 19 years old, and he paid for his computer. Its not uncommon at all for kids to have computers in their rooms.

But you wouldn't ley your 19 year old child ruin their lives with drugs even if he paid for them all himself, so why let him do it with games?

[psiwashing]

I wonder what perks the kid has with him. Northeast of Barrie this time of year, i'd want

- stopping power
- gortex parka
- martyrdom

[Emancipated]

Those pictures are so, so in bad taste guys.

Anyway, I found a chuckle or two from this quote:

"It's a very high-end area of Barrie where there are multi-million-dollar cottages owned by (people) who only use them two or three months a year. My best hope is that Brandon is having a great time, eating all their food," Steve said.

[mself084]

Kid must be using UAV Jammer

i really shouldn't laugh, but... bahahahaha that was classic.

[Cruel_Angel]

They have to think like hes in the game..

Hes using a silenced MP5, with Bomb Squad, UAV Jammer, and Dead Silence.

How on earth do you deal with that, just hope somebody calls in a helli.

[spazzamatic]

er.. WoW abducted my bf's brain =|

[ji2o0k]

er.. WoW abducted my bf's brain =|
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...............ygpm............:l ol:

[sfu_lifer]

Just to bring some closure to this thread, the kid has been found dead near his home :(

In hindsight, helping the kid pack up his bags must be killing his father right about now.
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_28854.aspx

[grappos13]

RIP..

it seems as tho he just went there and tried to live but couldnt stand the weather change that occured like last week with the snow...

[Setz]

If he didn't use UAV jammer, he would have been found soon. Relax people, it's a joke. It's too bad that the kid passed away, but I'm curious as to how.

[pouya_safi]

If he didn't use UAV jammer, he would have been found soon. Relax people, it's a joke. It's too bad that the kid passed away, but I'm curious as to how.

A little too soon?

[goJays]

GORTEX parka? if thats really in the game, then i need to pick it up again.. its been awhile lol

[gwu]

Watch this tragic death somehow lead into the never ending discussion of how Games are bad for kids yadda yadda.

[darkprince]

what a loser calling his son's bluff. I would have locked him up in his room or basement until he's ready to behave.

[sfu_lifer]

If he didn't use UAV jammer, he would have been found soon. Relax people, it's a joke. It's too bad that the kid passed away, but I'm curious as to how.

That's very heartless of you, poking fun in this very serious and tragic situation.

[sfu_lifer]

what a loser calling his son's bluff. I would have locked him up in his room or basement until he's ready to behave.

But how many of us received the same treatment from parents when we threatened to run away? This seems quite common back in the day (doens't make it the proper choice for sure). Obviously it was the incorrect call in this case.

[edgedamage]

If he didn't use UAV jammer, he would have been found soon. Relax people, it's a joke. It's too bad that the kid passed away, but I'm curious as to how.
You must still live in your parents basement to make a comment like that.

[Setz]

RFDers don't know how to read white text.

[edgedamage]

RFDers don't know how to read white text.
Every part of your comment was in bad taste. If you had a family member die would you like to see comments like yours? Or are you tough as nails gansta?

[Emancipated]

Every part of your comment was in bad taste. If you had a family member die would you like to see comments like yours? Or are you tough as nails gansta?

Very nice. I suspect Setz hasn't reached puberty as yet or if he has, he needs a rigorous course in sensitivity management.

[Setz]

I admit my comment was a bit untasteful, but you have to consider why this kid ran away. It's unfortunate that he ran away and, in turn, passed away, but it's no one to blame but the kid himself. Running away because of a videogame is too ridiculous a reason to run away that my mind cannot comprehend what was going through his head. Kids die all the time in every city around the world, and what makes this scenario different is that it's obviously going to be pinned on video games.

His parents helped him pack his bags and obviously did something wrong when bringing this kid up if the kid wants to run away because of videogames. His parents are equally to blame, and if they allowed this ridiculous thing to happen then they should be prepared for ridiculous comments like my own. Would you raise your children like this?

[arctics]

I really don't think the reason he ran away was specifically the video game. Clearly he was rebelling against his parents, it could have been anything. I remember when I was 16, my dad wouldn't let me take his car out, so I rebelled by taking it anyway and "running away" from home for a couple days.

I think if anything could have been done differently by the parents, it would have likely been not letting the level of anger get to that level, if that's possible. Maybe restricting the game usage much earlier, and making the kid understand the purpose of the restriction rather than trying to force their authority on him.

[evanx]

I admit my comment was a bit untasteful, but you have to consider why this kid ran away. It's unfortunate that he ran away and, in turn, passed away, but it's no one to blame but the kid himself. Running away because of a videogame is too ridiculous a reason to run away that my mind cannot comprehend what was going through his head. Kids die all the time in every city around the world, and what makes this scenario different is that it's obviously going to be pinned on video games.

His parents helped him pack his bags and obviously did something wrong when bringing this kid up if the kid wants to run away because of videogames. His parents are equally to blame, and if they allowed this ridiculous thing to happen then they should be prepared for ridiculous comments like my own. Would you raise your children like this?
We all have to concede that the dad helping his son pack his bags was absolutely ridiculous. If he firmly believes that his son has an addiction, I don't see how helping him run away would help. It's a bit callous but I'm sure the family has to live with regret and they should reflect on how they could have better handled this. The kid is wrong but he's a kid, ain't it? Much of the responsibility falls on his parents.

[Setz]

We all have to concede that the dad helping his son pack his bags was absolutely ridiculous. If he firmly believes that his son has an addiction, I don't see how helping him run away would help. It's a bit callous but I'm sure the family has to live with regret and they should reflect on how they could have better handled this. The kid is wrong but he's a kid, ain't it? Much of the responsibility falls on his parents.

I think at 15 the kid should have better judgment and know what's an acceptable way of "rebelling" versus unacceptable. Running away at 15 is very childish. I know he's still a kid, but at 15 I had sound enough mind to not do something as stupid as this kid did.

[brocool]

let me just use this post as practice for my fallacy test :idea:
only 6 more chapters to go..

lets take edgedamage for example

A very poor arguement because it doesnt fit relevance, acceptability, sufficiency and rebuttal criteria. It also attempts a personal attack rather than focussing on the errors with the arguement.

"Every part of your comment was in bad taste. If you had a family member die would you like to see comments like yours? Or are you tough as nails gansta?"

in standard form it will look like this:

Every part of your comment was in bad taste(premise)

[all comments in bad taste shouldnt be made] sub premise

If you had a family member die would you see comments like yours? (premise)

-use of a vague example, doesnt take into the differences but tries to focus on the similarities.

edit: [Setz has never had a family member die] subpremise

Or are you tough as nails gangsta? (premise)

[gangsters do not feel any pain/emotions] (sub premise)

[Setz doesnt feel emotion] Conclusion

[skeletor]

I wonder how he died... sounds like he ditched his bike and hid in the woods for a few nights? Hypothermia? No foul play was reported so far..
I would have thought he had a smarter plan to meet up with online friends as originally assumed.

[arctics]

I wonder how he died... sounds like he ditched his bike and hid in the woods for a few nights? Hypothermia? No foul play was reported so far..
I would have thought he had a smarter plan to meet up with online friends as originally assumed.

Yeah, that's a good point ... If you're running away, you better have a plan. But if all else fails, head downtown and stick it out in a shelter, or hook up with the squeeji kids.

[mrtvgame]

Perhaps this thread should be renamed to:

"I never monitored my son's gaming habits until it was too late. But it is videogaming culture's fault and nothing to do with the possibility that my parenting skills were not up to par. After all my husband packed his bag for him and saw him out the door. But damn those apparel designers that did not make the clothes warm enough . . . ."

Not like the Xbox 360 does not have excellent restrictions and family settings IF used.

I am not in the dark ages but really why is a 15 year-old playing with an M-Rated title?

Also do you blame a drunk driving death on the alcohol or the individual?

[Setz]

Perhaps this thread should be renamed to:

"I never monitored my son's gaming habits until it was too late. But it is videogaming culture's fault and nothing to do with the possibility that my parenting skills were not up to par. After all my husband packed his bag for him and saw him out the door. But damn those apparel designers that did not make the clothes warm enough . . . ."

Not like the Xbox 360 does not have excellent restrictions and family settings IF used.

I am not in the dark ages but really why is a 15 year-old playing with an M-Rated title?

Also do you blame a drunk driving death on the alcohol or the individual?

I don't think the problem was that Brandon was playing a game not meant for his age group (who didn't play M games before they turned 17?), the problem was that his parents let it go out of hand.

[evanx]

There were petitions for Microsoft to release the indentities of the clan Brandon was playing with. A lot of the petitioners were also blaming Microsoft. I found that inexplicable.

[mariokarter]

thye prolly did release the names, just not pubically, but to the cops.

[sfu_lifer]

There were petitions for Microsoft to release the indentities of the clan Brandon was playing with. A lot of the petitioners were also blaming Microsoft. I found that inexplicable.

That part is ludicrous. There's no one to blame here other than the family (including the kid). It's just a said situation all around.

[sfu_lifer]

RFDers don't know how to read white text.

Oh , you actually highlight every post when you read them??

[Setz]

Oh , you actually highlight every post when you read them??

I do. Don't you?

[sfu_lifer]

I do. Don't you?
You're the only one I know of that does this.
Mostly, there are warnings such as: "highlight for more after the text"

[aplayaz2000]

Hmm video games are pretty popular so its bound to have its stupid people. Yes I do agree with the dumb parents game's brainwashing their kid... just stupid.

[drumboz79]

I admit my comment was a bit untasteful, but you have to consider why this kid ran away. It's unfortunate that he ran away and, in turn, passed away, but it's no one to blame but the kid himself. Running away because of a videogame is too ridiculous a reason to run away that my mind cannot comprehend what was going through his head. Kids die all the time in every city around the world, and what makes this scenario different is that it's obviously going to be pinned on video games.

His parents helped him pack his bags and obviously did something wrong when bringing this kid up if the kid wants to run away because of videogames. His parents are equally to blame, and if they allowed this ridiculous thing to happen then they should be prepared for ridiculous comments like my own. Would you raise your children like this?

i agree

[boba_fett300]

Does anyone know what the kid's username was or clan name?

[Deans21]

I think a big problem here is the generation gap. Parents these days are going to go right along with the media and say that video games are to blame for this whole situation. There just has to be more to this whole story. A kid just doesn't run away because of a video game. When I was a kid I was grounded plenty of times but I never even thought of running away. When I heard that they were considering that he had fled to the states I just couldn't believe it.

I just don't even know how to put into words how I feel about this whole thing. A game didn't make him run away. He wasn't caught up in some "alternate reality". He was running off with someone he met online. Something was building up in him all along and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. Temperatures dropped and his body couldn't cope.

I really don't mean to sound insensitive as this whole thing really is sad but I hate it when people automatically blame video games, computers, the internet, etc.

[takumi111]

Natural selection at its finest.

[goJays]

darwinism strikes again? i do feel 20% sympathetic..

[skeletor]

Too bad the parents couldn't figure out how to use the parental controls on the 360.. at least with those in place the kid would be forced to confront the parent each time they wanted to play.. Microsoft does provide tools to help parents..

[marcopolo85]

kid died of hypothermia.

[vpower]

kid died of hypothermia.

that's sad...to loose someone in that kind of situation

[Evilz29]

RFDers don't know how to read white text.

That's kinda like going to a funeral, making fun of someones death, then saying jokes! I'm sorry for your lost

[skeletor]

so apparently news has come out that the kid had an impact on his chest.. possibly from falling off a tree.. He was a big fan of survivor shows like man vs wild and survivorman and probably thought he could pull of hiding in the wild. Unforunately the day he left it was really warm and was just wearing t-shirt and jacket

his body was found with his jacket right beside him which is a sign of hypothermia.. once parts of your body stop functioning from low temps you feel a rush of heat which usually causes people to take off some layers..

[Sephora]

Poor kid. Dad will probably blame Survivorman now.

edit: Oh no! Survivorman is quitting anyways.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/movies/story.html?id=9cb63970-e189-47a0-9495-ed905afab70a

[skeletor]

Poor kid. Dad will probably blame Survivorman now.

edit: Oh no! Survivorman is quitting anyways.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/movies/story.html?id=9cb63970-e189-47a0-9495-ed905afab70a

NO!!!!!! Now there's some news worth mourning :(