Binge drinking computer game condemned

Written by Harpers Editorial team

Thursday, 10 April 2008

A computer game which features children vomiting and lapsing into comas after binge-drinking has been criticised as irresponsible.

The game, ThinknDrinkn, was created by school pupils to put pre-teens off alcohol, reports the Daily Record.

Players have to negotiate their way through hazard-filled streets to provide fluids and food for their ailing friend and either get them home or to hospital.

The longer he is left without help the greener his face becomes, before eventually he becomes violently sick with vomit dripping down the screen. If help doesn't arrive the youngster lapses into unconsciousness.

ThinknDrinkn was made by pupils of Paisley Grammar and St Andrew's Academy, and will be used in classrooms across Scotland.

Paisley Grammar's head music teacher Andrew Dickie said: "We're trying to do a little bit here and engage students on their own territory."

But Nick Seaton, of the Campaign for Real Education, described the concept behind the game as "downright bizarre".

He said: "It is quite irresponsible to confront children of just 11 or 12 with the idea of a friend lapsing into unconsciousness because they have had so much to drink."

Dooley said:

	But it is Damned Funny! Frankly, I think it's rather an ingenious approach. I suppose some folks don't remember how cognitive they were at the age of twelve. Sad really...
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April 11, 2008
Votes: +0

David said:

	It is quite irresponsible to NOT confront children of just 11 or 12, the age they start to idolize their boozing older peers, with the idea of WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN when they drink too much.
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