A study published in JAMA Pediatrics by Boston University reveals that gun homicides among adolescents aged 10-16 have doubled during the latter half of the COVID-19 pandemic, even as rates for adults have returned to pre-pandemic levels. This alarming trend has shifted the peak risk of being a victim of a fatal shooting from age 21 to just 19, highlighting an unprecedented rise in firearm violence among younger populations.
The increase comes at a time when existing community-based violence intervention programs predominantly target older teens and adults. Researchers advocate for the development of specific prevention programs for school-aged children, calling attention to the striking need for evidence-based strategies that address the root causes of gun violence among the youth. As discussions about child safety evolve, understanding the impact of social media on escalating conflicts becomes increasingly critical.
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