Mass shootings have become something of a regular occurrence with deadly casualties in America today. It’s a saddening reality given that most of these happen in schools where victims are mostly children. Consequently, there have been calls from schools, lobbyists, parents and policymakers to formulate solutions that can prevent school shootings (Astor ). Some of the proposed reforms are radical and hard to implement but some are implementable and can yield the results needed.
First, away from the political gun wringing sentiments, schools can use technology to sort out troubled students who are capable of causing harm to others (Englander). While technology may hinder a child’s social development, it can also be exploited in terms of having anonymous reporting systems that can enable parents, teachers or students to alert law authorities about kids who seem disturbed. Such a system bore fruit in Steamboat Springs, Colorado last year in May and it’s worth implementing in other schools (Stensland).
Secondly, social media companies can be enlisted by schools and law enforcement to detect threats online. Majorities of the youth today use social media to express themselves and history has shown how most school shooters often take it to social media to vent out their frustrations (Englander). While a single post ay hardly indicate cause for alarm, repeated expressions can be flagged down by algorithms created by social media developers in efforts to identify potential threats.
Third, at a community level, doctors can perform standard mental health screenings due to how extreme aggression is often preceded by certain behavioral issues. Doctors should look out for markers like propensity towards violence, kids lacking social connectedness and extreme fascination about guns and violence (Englander).
Lastly, a national public health strategy aimed at minimizing weapons in schools would be implemented. Regrettably, illegal firearms already exist in schools and identifying which schools are prone to attacks is critical (Astor ). This information can be accessed through state level school climate surveys and is crucial in formulating this national strategy.
Works Cited
Astor, Ron Avi. 7 ways to help prevent school shootings.
2018. CNN. Print.
Retrieved from: < https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/21/opinions/guns-in-schools-opinion-astor/index.html>
Stensland, Matt. Threat from Steamboat Springs Middle School student prompts police response. 2017. Steamboat Today. Print.
Retrieved from:< https://www.steamboattoday.com/news/crime-courts/threat-from-steamboat-springs-middle-school-student-prompts-police-response/ >
Englander, Elizabeth. 10 ways to prevent school shootings now. 2018. Denver Post. Print.
Retrieved from:< https://www.denverpost.com/2018/02/21/10-ways-to-prevent-school-shootings-now/ >
