Thread by @dess_ri

"It’s become a common occurrence over the last few years as children appear to be engaging in more “disruptive,” violent behaviors, said Nicole Cobb... at Vanderbilt University."

🧵 #Hyperthread

wkrn.com/news/local-new…

"It’s behaviors like a first grader flipping over desks or a kindergartner threatening his teacher’s life that Cobb said have become concerning, and it’s happening more and more. Cobb said it is particularly unusual to see elementary school-aged children engaging in..."

"Every report investigated this year has been deemed “non-credible.” Whether the statement was made “jokingly” or with intent to do harm, if investigators can prove that a student made the post or comment, Moore said they will be charged with a felony."

It seems to me these children don't take their own words & actions seriously. Interesting, considering the emphasis the culture in general has had on being super cautious with how people are allowed to speak & what we're allowed to speak about.

“What we’re finding now is we’re having to go in and do de-escalation and trauma-informed care and work with the rest of the class, because it’s really scary if another student is in there flipping desks or screaming at their teacher that they’re going to kill them,” Cobb said."

So, why do these children have these explosive outbursts? What functions are not properly developed now, but used to be for kids at this age? Because this was not a widespread issue until recently.

"The WCSO has investigated threats made on a school bus and comments made to other students at schools, but Moore said most reports are of threats posted on social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok."

Looks like many children also aren't really aware that what they put online can come back to bite them sooner rather than later.

"A study conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration, found that between 2016 and 2020, the number of children ages 3 to 17 years old diagnosed with anxiety grew by 29% and those with depression by 27%."

Mental health was already a growing problem for younger and younger children, but the COVID response appears to have accelerated those issues. Lots of fear, stress, confusion, etc."

"Some students who are engaging in those behaviors have been found to lack certain social and emotional awareness Cobb said is usually developed at a young age. The social settings in which those skills are developed were largely unavailable during the COVID-19 pandemic."

School isn't actually necessary to social development, but not only did they close the schools, they also shut down the parks and made it difficult to go shopping or to visit family and friends. All social interaction was restricted & distorted.

#NoAmnesty

We are now seeing the effects & children are some of the hardest hit, which will have lasting consequences.

Again, if they hadn't shut down the schools plus closed the parks, terrified people into wearing masks at home, etc, all this would not be such an issue.

But they made sure kids missed basic developmental necessities. Now everyone is paying the price.

#NoAmnesty
#NoAmnestyEver