The AAP's new recommendations on kids & violence are rooted in real-life issues:
"The science is compelling: “Toxic stress” caused by racism and violence can take a heavy toll on the learning, behavior, and health of children, said Dr. Jack Shonkoff, director of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.
Kids don’t have to be the direct victim of violence to become overly stressed. Watching current events on TV, or picking up a parent’s anxiety may be enough to lead a child to feel unsafe, said Shonkoff, who is not directly involved in the Academy of Pediatrics’ effort.
Such “toxic stress” can affect brain development, the cardiovascular system, the immune system, metabolic regulation and of course, mental health. “We’re jeopardizing children’s lifelong health,” he said."
Protecting kids from violence isn't just about violent media: it's about building a safer, more just world.
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