A recent news story from Toronto quotes the police there as saying that adults can prevent violence by joining kids online.
Scott Mills, who runs the Toronto Crime Stoppers school program, said, “I could prevent violence more so from my desk than I could driving around to schools. Just by being out there, engaging with kids online, you build relationships.”
He also describes how he uses social networking websites such as Facebook to find warning signs of violence, to provide adult advice to the kids, and to tell the kids where and how they can report tips and information to law enforcement.
Mills also point out that parents and other adults can use this method of violence prevention.
It seems almost common sense to me. Adults must build a foundational relationship with kids to help and advise them, which they need to do to prevent violence. Because of the newness of the technology, some adults may not realize how much children socialize online. Adults can befriend or otherwise build personal relationships with kids using the internet and online communities. With those relationships, the adults can advise children, spot problems, and prevent violence.
What do you think?
