My son Joel’s gaming addiction led him to suicide. His tragic story is etched in my mind forever and permeates every pixel of this website.

Having focused my career on the digital industry for over a decade, I am keenly aware of much of the intriguing gaming industry and social media platforms. They offer a sense of community and sometimes stunning graphics to draw our children in and captivate them.

Sadly, many perils exist in the virtual world that are very real indeed. In many cases, incredible, even lifelike, graphics introduce dark realms that may include violence, sex, and more to impressionable minds. Imagine experiences so immersive and the impact they can have. Few people really understand this. It is my hope to make you aware so that you may get help and get involved.

Joel’s lines were blurred, likely being in a state of delusion as Chris, his boss/roommate conveyed to my best friend John, and me. Joel then impulsively took his advice after an hour of cyberbullying. My son is now gone. I realize evermore, the dangers of cyberbullying. At his memorial service, a close friend took me aside and said,

“Jeff, one day after you’ve had some time to heal, maybe two or three years down the road, you’ll find a way to use this horrible event to help others. Maybe you will save other lives.”

A note – It was a very rough time for me in several other ways also. The day before Joel’s online friend cyberbullied him into shooting himself, I received a call from Atlanta office. We needed to shut down our Business Growth Company; because COVID was disrupting our Sales Calls and in-person appointments. I have been on straight commission all my life, so I instantly lost 90% of my Sales Income. 

Joel was gone the next day. Just 13 days later, my only brother, (no sisters) fell down a staircase. His two sons are in the medical field and knew the seriousness this. We drove to Tampa. Just 36 hours later, we had to pull the plug on his life support. I arrive back in Tallahassee, with two minor surgeries scheduled. Dr Stevens, a great hand doctor, had to replace both of my middle knuckles with steel knuckles. Simple, restrictive, painful, and not what I needed right then. Right after losing both my only son and only brother.  So grieving for my son, we had the memorial several days later.  Then I lose my brother shortly afterward. This somewhat disabling surgery follows a week later. It was quite a time of reflection, to say the least. 

A friend shared this, “Jeff, when life kicks you, it usually kicks you forward.”   

To develop this website for parents, grandparents, and guardians, to hinder, if not prevent, what happened to Joel, has been therapeutic. I do not want any parent to have to bury their children, because Social Media Apps and/or Online Video Games Addictions influenced it, if not downright causing it. Let us fast forward now: 

Three years later after Joel was gone, I attended a local NEBA meeting. Our outstanding sheriff, fabulous police chief, and effective state attorney; shared stories about how youth crimes and suicides were increasing. They attributed the heavy influence of online apps and video games. They emphasized how they contribute towards the downward spiral many of our youth experience today. This struck a chord. It was eerily like what I believe Joel experienced. Yikes.

I asked if there was a website that help parents navigate these apps and online video games. A place, a website, to provide resources to help them in the battle for our children’s well-being. The answer was a resounding “No…we do not know of one we can encourage parents to utilize.” I mentioned I would develop a website to get this process on base.

My plan was to invest about $2,000 and 50 hours. Then give the website to the Leon School Board, Leon Cty Sheriff’s office, Tallahassee Police Department, and the State Attorney’s Office.  I met individually with all four leaders twice. They wanted the complete website built. I said I would put in the research needed, and prepare, yet this will be quite a personal challenge. I would relive some of the deep pain losing my son. They offered any of their resources if needed. 

My plan of putting in 50 hours and maybe $2,000, quickly went to about 1200 hours, including 800 hours of research.  Including the writings, an immense amount of tech help, two attorneys involved with copyright, and other legal areas, I added in about $8,000. The urgency was stressed to me to go full bore with it. I said I would try to have it ready maybe by June of 2023. They said with all four separate departments, trying to do it separately, and then together, it might take until the summer of 2024. 

I agreed on one condition. I could stay anonymous, and it would be a gift. Then the message was delivered that CBS, (60 Minutes), ABC and CNN was interested in a national story. I would simply need to agree to be part of the narrative. They shared, “It is the story behind the story”. (I ask you this. Would you like your name opened with your son or daughter committing suicide as part of the “story”, as they shared their opening script.) It took three meetings before I agreed to be visible with it. Yet it would need to be later, in 2024. There is a different level of having a website shift from being locally focused to having a national perspective and audience.

I now see their wisdom, and it has now become a passion. We formed a 501c3, and named it Your Children’s World. We have a solid board of seven Georgia and Florida Leaders, while we develop our “team of experts”.

I certainly do not want this to happen to other parents, grandparents, and guardians.” Every day, we see the urgent need for a down-the-middle website. To not have any politics or commercialization. To have a safe place, to provide information, resources, and solutions, to parents, youth, grandparents, and guardians.   

It has been an evolving process. This is a race to keep up while technology is leaping forward daily. Know this: Nothing in history has ever captured our youth’s focus even close to the level of the current apps and video games. (With AI, VR, and AR advances, I liken it this way. It is becoming ever more addictive, perhaps like a youth switching from marijuana to crack cocaine. It is that serious. This is what is ahead for our youth and many adults.)

Virtual Reality Gaming, (VR) and Augmented Reality, (AR) are about to step up once again. We are close to when the prices become Mainstreet friendly, game speed advances, and graphics ever more alluring. It is rapidly approaching.

In candor, I did not know the level of addiction, violence, language, and pure energy that permeates these online video games. I welcome input from you as well. When our youth move out, no one will be there to monitor activities and choices. What we have taught them earlier in life has to serve as their filter going forward. So here it is, ParentDigitalAnswers.org. The facebook page is Facebook.com/YourChildrensWorld. 

This website is part of Your Childrens’ World Inc., a 501c3. Tax # 93-3034335. Please consider donating to this as it is a tax-free write-off. Just click the donate button on the home page. Help us spread this message with our mission to all the cities in America, and then, beyond.

The realization of that prescient remark at my son Joel’s memorial service on that painful day back in 2020, is now my mission, my complete focus. We ask you to consider a one time gift, or even donate just $19 a month. Joel’s age, 19, when he was taken from myself, and everyone who loved him.  Thank you.