The guide, released in April 2000 to coincide with the anniversary of the Columbine shootings, provides thoughtful discussion on three possible approaches to dealing with youth violence. Wanton violence saturates our TV programs, news programs, movies, music lyrics, video games and the Internet.
Studies show clear links between dramatized violence and juvenile violence.
Possible solutions include banning all violent entertainment to children under 17 and increasing investment in public television programs for children and in after-school programs to provide healthy alternatives to the violent popular culture. Kids at risk of violence need more help. This explanation emphasizes that there is no system for helping the relatively few troubled kids before they slip into serious trouble. Health experts can spot many of the warning signs that a young person is about to snap and which children are at greater risk of becoming violent. This viewpoint calls for a systematic approach to identifying troubled at-risk children and rescuing children from chronically abusive homes.