Particularly the role of social media platforms deserves scrutiny. Minutes after the stabbing on 26 January, images of the scene were shared on Snapchat. Later, a video emerged allegedly showing one of the suspects smoking a cigarette while he was in the youth correction centre in Dreiborn. The facility director denied this.
The photos were intended as a show of force to intimidate members of the public and other children in particular. This has worried and upset many parents.
The director of the Psychosocial and Scholastic Assistance Centre, Nathalie Keipes, urges parents to remain vigilant and be aware of changes in a child’s behaviour.
This could range from a change in sleeping patterns, or a new-found aversion to going to school, or just general nervousness. Parents should encourage their children to open up about their problems, but do so without forcing the child, says Keipes.
The psychologist also warns that through their smartphones today’s children come into contact with violence and pornography at a younger age and much more easily than older generations did. It is important for parents not to trivialise these experiences because it can have lasting effects on what children perceive as normality. Social media is also where mobbing or bullying increasingly takes place.
Last week alone saw three violent incidents in the City, including the stabbing in Bonnevoie by two under-age boys, one aged 17 and the other just 15.
According to Keipes, it is not surprising that tensions within the youth are increasing. The pandemic and Covid-related lockdowns, fewer social contacts, sport activities and general distractions have exacerbated the situation and negatively impacted children.
Keipes says that frustration levels have reached a boiling point and whereas previously children may have tried to cope by meeting up with friends, the pandemic has taken away this option and thus lowered tolerance limits.
Inadvertently, children spend more time on their phones and on social media. Keipes says that this has contributed to the rise in violence we have seen recently.
She has also called on schools to step up efforts to provide more support to children.
18-year-old man stabbed to death on Tuesday evening, two arrested
