Our teenagers are apparently bored in spite of this ever stimulating world created through immediacy and technology. We have entertainment, music, movies and games instantly at our fingertips. We can research and explore a world we never had access to at the click of a button, namely Google. We can use voice activation and virtual reality glasses while controlling our world by remote control. Yet, with all of this, teens still seem to be bored.
Their idea of stimulation and fun seem foreign to those of us a little more seasoned. As we delight in the accessibility of information, databases and the use of technology for efficiency and creativity. Many of today's youth are using social media as thumb thugs and keyboard killers to bully, threaten, harrass, posts fights, vulgarities, and other inappropriate content not realizing they are leaving their footprints in the great technology cloud which can follow them as they approach their futures and look for jobs or other opportunities. This past week, officers across the country had to respond to multiple teenage mall fights. At least 15 fights in shopping centers and malls were reported. One report in Fort Worth said that a fight had broken out in the food court of Hulen Mall and that 200 teenagers were running, screaming and fighting. There was another fight at an upscale mall called Beachwood Place in which it was reported that around 500 people were involved. There was a Law enforcement suspects that many of these fights were somewhat organized on social media.
What have we done to encourage or discourage this behavior in our youth? When did "two to the head and one to the body" become a cheer? This is a growing and dangerous activity that can lead to serious injury or death. Have we failed in teaching non-violent conflict resolution? Have we exposed them to too much violence? Have movies and media made violence attractive? Well, in the real world, it is not cute. It is not funny. It is not charming. It is not entertainment. It is ugly, distasteful, and abhorable. It is our children and we need to start paying attention. in 2014, Suicide and homicide were the second and third leading causes of death, respectively, among teens ages 15 to 19. We don't want to lose our youth to such a tragic trend.
Tanisha Baker, January 2, 2017
Their idea of stimulation and fun seem foreign to those of us a little more seasoned. As we delight in the accessibility of information, databases and the use of technology for efficiency and creativity. Many of today's youth are using social media as thumb thugs and keyboard killers to bully, threaten, harrass, posts fights, vulgarities, and other inappropriate content not realizing they are leaving their footprints in the great technology cloud which can follow them as they approach their futures and look for jobs or other opportunities. This past week, officers across the country had to respond to multiple teenage mall fights. At least 15 fights in shopping centers and malls were reported. One report in Fort Worth said that a fight had broken out in the food court of Hulen Mall and that 200 teenagers were running, screaming and fighting. There was another fight at an upscale mall called Beachwood Place in which it was reported that around 500 people were involved. There was a Law enforcement suspects that many of these fights were somewhat organized on social media.
What have we done to encourage or discourage this behavior in our youth? When did "two to the head and one to the body" become a cheer? This is a growing and dangerous activity that can lead to serious injury or death. Have we failed in teaching non-violent conflict resolution? Have we exposed them to too much violence? Have movies and media made violence attractive? Well, in the real world, it is not cute. It is not funny. It is not charming. It is not entertainment. It is ugly, distasteful, and abhorable. It is our children and we need to start paying attention. in 2014, Suicide and homicide were the second and third leading causes of death, respectively, among teens ages 15 to 19. We don't want to lose our youth to such a tragic trend.
Tanisha Baker, January 2, 2017
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