Protecting Children From Violence, Bullying, and Media Harm

Introduction: Children in an Unpredictable World

When parents decide to have children, the plan is to love and cherish them, because children are a reflection of both mother and father. However, this is not always the outcome. Many factors shape how a child grows up, largely determined by what he or she learns from the people nearby. According to a report cited by U.S. News, "death rates among teens and young adults aged 15 to 24 are now higher than among children aged 1 to 4 years in many countries, says a new study that shows a reversal of historical death patterns" ("Death Rates…"). The media regularly highlights cases of child abuse and neglect, making the public increasingly aware of how children must be protected. Stories and news reports about children dying, being bullied, misusing social networks, and being negatively influenced by their communities make it difficult for those surrounding a child to protect him or her in an unpredictable world.

School Safety and the Threat of Violence

Schools are supposed to be the safest environment a child can be in, but recently this has not been the case. Every child in school is vulnerable to the threat of shootings because sufficient protective measures are not consistently in place. After hearing so many stories about students bringing deadly weapons to school, many children are scared or reluctant to attend because of the possibility of a mass shooting. The reality is stark: "over a million students are threatened or injured with a weapon on school property every year" ("Youth Risk Behavior…").

In the wake of mass shootings, many communities have adopted "zero tolerance" policies so that students who commit acts of violence cannot return to that school. However, this response alone is insufficient. An expelled student can still wander the streets or attend another school where violent behavior may continue. A more effective approach would be to have such students evaluated and treated by a mental health professional or counselor to explore the roots of their violent behavior. Another option is enrollment in anger management programs so that students can address internal frustration constructively rather than directing it at others. Despite all of the efforts being made to improve child safety, it will be a long time before communities fully trust schools as reliably safe environments for everyone.

Bullying and Its Lasting Effects on Children

Another issue that has eroded parental trust in schools is bullying. Bullying occurs everywhere, but certain groups face heightened risk depending on the environment in which they live. In the United States, every state except Montana has enacted laws providing students with protection from bullying, requiring schools to implement "antibullying education programs and tracking and reporting individual incidents" ("Bullying"). Opponents of these laws — including some school administrators — "worry that broader state supervision and detailed reporting requirements threaten the ability of schools to handle bullying incidents internally, while legislation advocates remain concerned that the laws may be underfunded" ("Bullying"). Depending on each state's specific statutes, schools may face extensive reporting and tracking obligations.

The topic of bullying is often dismissed once an apology has been offered and the immediate situation appears resolved. But bullying does not simply stop because someone has said sorry. It is a social norm that must be transformed so that "bullying moves from being shrugged off to being treated as unacceptable" ("Bullying"). Parents, too, are often insufficiently engaged — many simply tell their children that bullying is "everywhere" ("Bullying") without elaborating on its serious effects. This social norm carries lasting consequences: children who are bullied often struggle to open up to or trust new people, leading to long-term psychological trauma.