A PSP handheld video game console almost killed a 10-year-old boy in Milan today. Oh yes, it's true. Could this be a wake-up call that our constant exposure to and dependency on technology is putting our lives in danger?
The young gamer was so engrossed in killing birds or shooting torpedoes on his portable screen that he fell several feet off of a platform and right next to the train tracks. Thankfully, an off-duty policeman named Alessandro Micalizzi quickly jumped down to lift the little boy to safety.
Sure, we all had a good laugh a couple of weeks ago watching Cathy Cruz Marrero, the woman who took a spill in to a mall fountain, because she was so engaged in whatever she was doing on her smart phone. That was pretty pathetic, because, I mean, how could she not have seen that HUGE fountain in her path? Still, friends and I have all agreed that it was ridiculous how no one jumped to her rescue! But, thankfully, that wasn't really a nearly fatal incident.
On the other hand, this PSP incident makes my heart jump out of my chest and my brain go, "OMG WHAT?!" I have a lot of questions, though! Like, where was this kid's guardian, and why did he think it was such a good idea to walk even that close to the edge of the platform? But those concerns aside, the fact that he was so immersed in a portable video game brings to light so many worries about the technology itself.
We should all know by now that it is totally idiotic to text and drive. (FYI: If you're one of those fools I see swerving between lanes, because you need to send a sext to your booty call, well, I have nothing to say to you other than a lot of angry obscenities I'll refrain from spewing here.) Since we already acknowledge that it's dangerous to multi-task with technology on the road, maybe it's about time we realize that it's just not safe to walk and game or walk and text/e-mail/IM, etc.?
Kids especially should be trained to practice "Mobile Device Safety." In other words, to focus their sight on where they're going -- not how many levels they've beaten in Gods Eater Burst! (Oh, yes, apparently that is the real name of a forthcoming PSP game ... ** shudder **)
See the nasty incident for yourself and then weigh in ... Do you think portable technology is putting our safety at risk?
Image via yngrich/Flickr
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Comments 62
i luv your comment bree1984 lol
even after he fell in I could not tell who was with him. And why was he walking around playing the game? I do think that technology has a hold on us and that it is a major part of our lives now....but come on now. Where was his "voice of reason" ? If I allowed my children to read books and walk (yes they try to do this in the store when they see an interesting book and I am ready to move on) or take their Leapster on our trip to the grocery store they would happily bump into every other person or display in the store. This was just plain poor judgement and bad parenting.
I would like to say that I do think violence on tv and video games spurs violence in real life. Children imitate what they see; in real life and the many forms of media. It also desensitizes them..the first time they see someone hurt or murdered on a game/movie there is a shock factor...after that it doesn't faze them anymore. I'm not saying it breeds murderers, just less compassionate people. And if your a parent that allows your children to watch those movies or play those games chances are your not teaching all the morals to counter balance what they are seeing....
Wasnt the games fault, it was his stupidity. Im glad he is ok but come on really ?? Blame a game when the kid should of been paying attention. The game system did not hold a gun to the kids head and make him play ....... where were the parents when this happened ?? Did THEY make him put it away and pay attention. Oh wait we have adults that cant even walk and text at the same time. Common sense says, if your attention needs to be else where, PUT THE TECH. AWAY ........ But blame the idiots that rather not pay attention and play rather then a inanimate object .....
No, It wasn't the PSP that almost killed the kid.. it was the kids inability to pay attention to his surroundings that almost got him killed. don't place the blame where it doesn't belong...
wow, but where were his parents? they should have been watching him at the train station.
You cant blame the game for crying out loud. It was bad judgement. If I were to blame anything it would be the parents... where were they?
I understand that this was almost a tragedy and it shouldn't have happened.. but let's put the blame where it belongs, on the 10 year old (who let's face it, should know that you should watch where you are walking) and the parents, but not an inanimate object.
I don't blame the game I blame the kid. I blame the PARENT! Where the hell was his mom? Why was noone watching? Why wasn't he told not to walk with it on?
Where was the parent is what I want to know
I dont blame the video game, I blame the child for not paying attention..and hmm where are the parents?