Digital Footprints: It is deeply concerning to know that individuals who commit acts of violence in educational settings often display troubling digital behaviors before their actions. Recent research conducted by the Violence Project, a nonpartisan research center, found that a significant number of school shooters had given warning signs, including posting content online (Violence Project, 2021). While not all alarming online behavior is a predictor of violence, it is essential to acknowledge the potential of digital footprints as indicators of distress and take action to provide support to individuals in need. We must work together to create a safe and supportive environment where early intervention is possible, and tragedies can be prevented.
Understanding the Cries for Help: It is crucial to understand that online behavior is intricate, and people who express violent or aggressive thoughts may be dealing with significant emotional pain. Dr. Jonathan Singer, President of the American Association of Suicidology, emphasizes that these individuals may be seeking help and support from others. It can be challenging to differentiate between these cries for help and other online content, but we must be present for those who are struggling. Recent studies in Cyberpsychology Journal have started to shed light on this issue, identifying specific language patterns and posting frequency that can indicate underlying psychological distress. As a community, we must show empathy towards those in need and help them on their journey towards healing.
The Challenge of Recognition and Response: To identify genuine threats, it is vital to have a deep understanding of online behavior. According to the FBI's guidelines on preventing school violence, evaluating online posts requires considering the context in which the posts were made. For instance, sudden changes in the tone or nature of posts, explicit threats, or a fascination with violence can serve as warning signs. Although social media platforms increasingly use AI and machine learning technologies to identify concerning content, experts recommend a balanced approach that includes human judgment (TechCrunch, 2021).
Preventive Measures: Without delving into specific tragedies, it is worth noting that in several cases preceding acts of school violence, individuals had made explicit threats or exhibited concerning behavior online. These instances serve as painful reminders of missed opportunities for intervention. On the preventative side, initiatives like the Sandy Hook Promise program offer training for students and educators to recognize signs of potential violence, including online behavior (Sandy Hook Promise, 2020).
What can we do?: Digital footprints can offer critical insights into the mental state of individuals at risk of committing violence. Society can better anticipate and prevent potential tragedies by paying close attention to these online behaviors and investing in technology and human intuition to interpret them. It is a collective endeavor that requires the engagement of educators, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and the tech industry. Tools like SocialTrase Student Monitoring can help by automating looking for these telltale signs while maintaining a student’s right to privacy and getting parents and staff involved early to prevent school violence.
For more information, visit “The Violence Project”. For additional tools, see “The Sandy Hook Promise.”