4 things parents can do to thwart school threats and violence
A handful of Red Lion students violated the school's request to stay inside the building during school walkouts and protested outside. Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record
Airport security changed dramatically 17 years ago with the attacks on 9/11. Gone are the days of visiting Harrisburg or Baltimore-Washington International Airport, just to sit at a gate and watch the planes take off and land. The shooting in Parkland, Fla. and recent string of bomb threats at local schools have also changed the landscape. Many parents no longer have that care-free feeling when they see their children off to school.
Definitive answers to why these acts occur are hard to find. We can and should do more to confront our country’s mental health crisis, but there are limits to what health care professionals and law enforcement can do with someone prior to the possibility of an act being carried out.
Many people turn to government for solutions. I’m not here to tell you there is little Washington, D.C., or Harrisburg can do. Modern technology is often blamed for increased acts of violence. But social media by itself - like a cellphone sitting on a table - is harmless. The problems occur when we the consumer misuse communication vehicles like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Bullying in schools is not a new phenomenon. The difference now is bullying often doesn’t end when a child returns home, as social media often provides an avenue for it to continue after school.
The point that needs to be made is there are things you can do. York County District Attorney Dave Sunday held a town hall meeting Thursday at Central York High School, dealing with all aspects of this problem (another town hall meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 22, at Red Lion High School). Barely three months after being elected, he and his staff have done a fine job attempting to empower citizens with tools they can use, especially in their homes. Here are some of their suggestions:
- Educate ourselves about the technology children are using. The joke is, if you have a question about your phone or computer, ask a child. That mindset must end, as we need to obtain a working knowledge of these devices before we can effectively talk to a child and review their activity.
- Know the account names and passwords for the applications your child uses. This is a tricky one, as we like to promote independence in young people. In this case, the price of privacy can be expensive. Parents need to realize the obligation they have to access social media interactions at any time.
- Review your child’s social media activity. Take the time to actually review the appropriateness of your child’s friends, contacts, photos and other content. Many children will balk at this. Again, the price for not doing this can be expensive, embarrassing and heartbreaking.
- Discuss with your child the dangers and consequences of improper use. They could become the victim of bullying or a crime, such as sexual photo exploitation and identity theft. These activities have consequences, such as juvenile charges, school discipline and/or parental punishment.
In other words, we should not sit idly by and wait for someone else to act. As a caregiver or child, if you see a questionable or threatening text or social media reference on Instagram or Snapchat (which more students are using now), do not forward or delete it. Doing so gives added “voice” to those who may have a desire to frighten others. It also impedes the ability of the police to investigate the source.
During one of the press conferences associated with the threats at Central York, Springettsbury Township Police Chief Dan Stump said students should immediately notify a parent or teacher, depending on where they are at the moment. Parents and teachers need to follow up with local law enforcement. Regarding these messages as harmless or insignificant could be a mistake. Taking them seriously will not be.
These are not new policies or laws that need instituting. They are actions responsible parents must undertake in times that try our patience. For many people, they will not be easy to carry out because a change of mindset is required. We are asked to get involved - REALLY involved - in the lives of the young people we are responsible for raising.
The pressures and challenges our children face today are greater than those many of us faced growing up. As a young man, much of my formation took place around a dinner table, where we discussed events of the day and issues we faced. The family dynamic today is often much different, but our children still need a safe place to call home. The 21st century criminal element is multi-faceted. We, as parents, much be much more vigilant and proactive in order to keep our families and communities safe.
State Rep. Keith Gillespie is a Republican from Hellam Township.
Also of interest, a gallery of photos below: