Gun control in schools refers to laws, policies, and practices that aim to prevent firearms from being brought into schools and to ensure the safety of students and staff in the event of a shooting. In the United States, federal law prohibits firearms on school grounds through the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990. However, enforcement of this law is left to individual states and enforcement can vary widely. Some schools have implemented additional measures, such as metal detector screenings, security cameras, and active shooter drills. Some states have also passed laws allowing certain trained school staff to carry firearms on campus, a policy known as a "school marshal" or "guardian" program. However, there are also concerns that such measures …show more content…
According to recent statistics, about 1 in 5 teens in the US experiences a mental health condition. Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental health conditions among teens, with rates of both conditions increasing in recent years. Other conditions such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance abuse are also prevalent among teens. A number of factors may contribute to the rising rates of mental health issues among teens, including increased stress and pressure to succeed academically and socially, changes in family structures and relationships, and increased access to social media and technology. There are also a number of challenges related to getting help for teens with mental health issues. Stigma and lack of awareness about mental health can make it difficult for teens to seek help, and access to mental health services can be limited, particularly for those without insurance or in underserved areas. “Largely, this would be concerning because mental health problems have pretty much been skyrocketing in our nation across the past few decades). In fact, in a powerful Psychology Today post from 2015, my colleague Jean Twenge provides a mountain of data speaking to the facts that (a) a broad array of psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety, have increased in frequency since the 1980s and (b) this observed pattern is not exclusively the result of …show more content…
Another analysis focused on bullying and a retaliatory event due to the initial bullying incident. With the advance in technology, bullying has become more frequent and easier to occur.” (Frogge) One of the main ways social media has affected school gun violence is through the spread of misinformation and the amplification of violent ideologies. Social media platforms have been used to spread conspiracy theories, hate speech, and false information about gun violence, which can contribute to a culture of fear and mistrust. Additionally, some individuals who commit acts of gun violence at schools have been found to have posted threatening or concerning messages on social media prior to the incident. Social media also plays a role in the way school shootings are covered by the media and perceived by the public. Social media allows for an immediate and constant flow of information, images, and videos, which can lead to increased coverage of these events and a sense of constant threat. Another way social media has affected school gun violence is through the way it can contribute to a feeling of isolation and loneliness, which can be a risk factor for violence. “High media users were less likely than low media users to endorse the lack of friends; ease in getting a gun; not getting along with their parents; other kids' encouragement; violence in their neighborhoods; being victims of physical abuse themselves or witnessing physical abuse; and