Radicalization of Teenagers Online: A Growing Concern for Parents and Experts
In the wake of the Evergreen High School shooting, extremism experts are raising the alarm about how teenagers are being radicalized online in spaces that glorify violence. The desensitization of killing, death, and the taking of a life is a pressing concern, according to Susan Payne, a national school safety expert and founder of Colorado’s Safe2Tell reporting system. “What we see online happening with our children is desensitization of killing, of death, of what it means to take a life,” she said. “…We have to understand warning signs and indicators really are changing as we go more into a digital age.”
Mental health experts recommend that parents monitor their kids’ online activity and learn the language used in online spaces to understand what children are being exposed to. This includes being aware of slang, symbols, and slogans that may refer to white supremacy, antisemitism, and mass shootings. For example, the term “hero” can have a different meaning in online communities, referencing a past mass attack.
Steps Parents Can Take to Keep Their Kids Safe
Experts suggest that parents take several steps to help keep their kids safe online. Firstly, they should not rush to give a child a social media account, as mental health experts do not recommend that children have sole access to social media until they become adolescents. “There isn’t a set age that mental health experts recommend a child be given their own account, as each individual will be ready at a different time,” said Jessica Hawks, a child and adolescent psychologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Once a child has their own social media account, parents should monitor their activity, including being able to log in and see who their kids are talking to and what’s showing up on their social feeds. Parents should also set guidelines for overall screen use, such as not allowing phones to be used in bedrooms at night. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that families create a social media plan.
Talking to Children About Online Content
Parents should regularly check in with their kids to learn what they are being exposed to online, especially after a traumatic event. “It’s really important for parents to go to these kids and initiate these kinds of conversations,” said Hawks. In these conversations, parents should follow their kids’ lead and let them express whatever feelings they have without minimizing them. Help normalize whatever emotions the child has, whether it’s anger, sadness, or fear.
Parents should answer any questions their child might have in an open, calm, and age-appropriate way, without trying to insert their own opinions or political views. Instead, they should stick to the basics, such as telling a child that violence is never OK. The Anti-Defamation League has an online database of hate symbols and codes that parents and educators can use to familiarize themselves with.
The Importance of Trusted Adults
A trusted adult is one of the most protective factors for a child’s mental health and preventing violence, according to mental health experts. A trusted adult can be a family member, a coach, or a teacher, and they play a crucial role in helping children feel like they belong in the community. This can help prevent adolescents from being drawn into online spaces that encourage them to engage in violence.
By taking these steps, parents and experts can work together to prevent the radicalization of teenagers online and promote a safer and more supportive online community. For more information and resources, visit Here
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