Everyday responsible good living adults watch the nightly TV news and sometimes see large groups of kids aged between 7 and 16 years old roaming the streets fighting and vandalising. The message that viewers hear most of all is that they are too young to be brought to justice and punished.
The positive side to this kind of reporting is that the public are finding out that there is a big problem with out of control kids. Their intentions are good. But the downside is that viewers see the kids laughing outside court, not charged and allowed to go free. It tends to fill them with confusion and outrage over a failing system.
How can these kids be free with no consequences to keep committing offences? Understandably viewers develop a sense of hopelessness believing that nothing is being done and can be done. Kids are protected and have all the rights. The community does not seem to have any.
Unfortunately sensationalising reporting is generally a one way affair, a one way reporting. The viewers do not get the full picture of both sides. they don't see what the system does to get these kids back on track.
There is a Juvenile Justice system that supports the kids who have received so many warnings. Workers are assigned to their cases to help them make better choices. The families of these children are supported with parenting advice and programs. There are even police support programs like judo, gym etc for the youth.
Sensationalising reporting from my perspective may be perceived as right and wrong. It is right to let people know what is happening but wrong to be only one-sided. As a result good responsible adult believe that society is going downhill at a rapid pace and absolutely nothing can be done.
I don't know if it is at all possible to solve this issue with reporting. I am far more interested in putting effort and money being put into preventative programming.
It probably won't stop all kids from acting out but it might reduce the delinquency occurring on the streets. Meanwhile viewers need to be assured that our standard of living is not altogether
going down the drain.
Cheers and Blessings
