The rate of children killed by guns in the U.S. is several times higher than any other country. Researchers found that gun-related deaths, injuries, and homicides are higher among boys ages 13 to 17 than teen girls and younger boys.
In the wake of yet another deadly school shooting in the United States, the truth is, shootings happen like this in neighborhoods of predominately black communities almost every day. However, who is consoling the ones the bullet missed or the young witnesses?
One health specialist offers advice on how to ease youth’s fears about acts of terror and violence.
Consider the child’s age and emotional maturity when weighing the right time to discuss such tragedies, recommends Dr. Hannah Chow, a pediatrician at Loyola University Health System in Maywood, Ill.
“The older they are, the quicker you should tell them. You want to get in front of any misinformation, as they may have already heard the news from another source,” she said in a Loyola news release.
Younger children require special consideration.
“They may not be aware of