Murder Games: the life and death of Breck Bednar

[juneau]

Did anyone else see this? (Weds night BBC1). Bloody hell it was disturbing, particularly as a DM of boys.

Breck was a 14-year-old who was groomed online by an 18-year-old who managed to alienate him from his friends and his family, even though they'd never met - it was all done via chatting on an online gaming network. Then he manipulated Breck into going to his house, where he murdered him. It was so horrific His poor parents tried so hard to stop it happening too and were really pretty clued up and pro-active about trying to stop contact. I guess its an extreme example of what can happen when things go VERY wrong, but still it was very disturbing.

[juneau]

Yes, I was glad that the other details of the attack weren't included in the programme. It made me wonder how much that poor boy suffered though in the lead up to his death.

[MadameDePompom]

I saw it and thought it was absolutely harrowing and terrifying. He must have been so frightened.

[MadameDePompom]

Yes, the fact his parents were so aware and clued up made it even more awful I thought.

[pinkcan]

This was an absolute shocker. But a very good and valuable programme.

Poor boy and poor family. I felt sad that his parents held some blame for themselves. They did absolutely everything in their power to protect their son and now even after his death they are protecting other people's children by making this programme. Despite the age recommendation, I'm showing my son this. Breck was 14 when he died but the age recommendation is 16+. I think that although it will be horrifying to my ds, he needs to watch it to truly understand how people can trick you and isolate you from your family.

The difference between this video and others is that this is completely true. Other ones are made with actors/made up scenarios and not very hard hitting.

[pinkcan]

They need to realise how real the danger is.

Imo you sit with him, pause when necessary and if he's upset/frightened you tell him that Breck's parents made this programme to protect children like him. That there are upsetting things in life, but in order to deal with them, you need to know about them.

[juneau]

My boys are too young to see it, but I'm going to get my DH to watch it.