Recently, nine third-graders were suspended for plotting to assault their teacher.
Of the nine suspended, three of them are being charged with conspiracy, among other charges.
The children delegated who was bringing the tools of assault, which included a steak knife, a roll of duct tape, handcuffs, ribbon and a heavy crystal paperweight. The children had even planned the details of who was doing what job, such as clean up and door watch, reported MSNBC.com.
The plot was only foiled because an uninvolved student in the class found out about it and leaked it to the authorities.
What outside influence inspires third-grade students to conspire in such a heinous activity? It certainly wasn't conceptualized over a good old-fashioned game of jacks and marbles.
No, it is the media that is supplying the poison and putting these ideas in children's minds.
"Before, you would see these types of behavior in high school. Now, we've skipped the middle school and gone right to the third grade," licensed mental health counselor, Audrey Dearborn, said.
It's sad to think that these eight and 10-year-olds think that this is the acceptable way to handle a situation. "They have distorted views about how to handle problems in their society, they respond the way the cartoon characters do--they fight with aggression," Dearborn continued.
Some of you might have gone to the ice skating event put on by the Campus Programming Board at the Easton Chiller last quarter.
Shortly upon arrival, we noticed that we were surrounded by elementary- and middle-school-aged children. After taking a closer look at these students, however, we observed that kids as young as eight and nine had the classy, high-end cell phones and iPods. Young girls were wearing make-up, and way too much of it.
I personally felt uncomfortable in that situation. Compared to what I was like at their age, these children seemed much more grown-up.
Media such as television, movies, video games and toys are influencing the way our society's children think and behave.
A good example would be the Bratz dolls; thin, half-naked dolls that young, third-grade girls idolize.
Other examples include violent movies and television shows such as the James Bond movies and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which also contribute to the desensitization of children to violence.
Video games also glorify and reward these acts of aggression; Halo and Grand Theft Auto illustrate it perfectly.
As an older sister to a 10-year-old brother, I can see the effects that these media outlets have on him. He is an avid video game player and watches too much TV; most of which includes wrestling and MTV.
It's sad to hear him sing the popular songs, watch him surf the Web and MySpace and to hear him killing and injuring the characters in his games, but that's what is happening.
This is real, and if we don't start pro-actively being involved in children's lives, it can only get worse. t&c;
JESSICA MILLER IS A FRESHMAN ORG. COMM. AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR AND STAFF WRITER FOR THE t&c.;
