Here's how witnessing violence harms children’s mental health [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](.
Edition: US
16 February 2018
[[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair](
Editor's note
The Valentine’s Day school shooting that claimed 17 lives in Broward County, Florida has dominated the news since Wednesday. How does the coverage of this event affect the children who hear and see it? As Case Western University’s Daniel J. Flannery writes, “there is increasing evidence that exposure to violence in everyday life has a [significant impact on children’s mental health](.”
Since the Florida shooting, many have expressed frustration at politicians’ hand-wringing and calls for prayer. As a parent, Elizabeth Englander understands the desire to react quickly and decisively to keep kids safe. And as a psychologist who studies aggressive childhood behavior, she has some advice. Here, [10 practical ways schools, parents and communities can prevent school violence](.
Earlier this week, a judge awarded US$6.7 million to graffiti artists whose murals were destroyed by the owner of the 5Pointz development in Queens, New York. To art law expert Leila Amineddoleh, it’s [a huge win for street artists](: They’re now being granted the same rights as professional artists. But Amineddoleh also thinks that the ruling could backfire in unexpected ways.
Jamaal Abdul-Alim
Education Editor
Top stories
A student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida speaks to reporters on Feb. 14 after a former student fatally shot multiple people. AP/Wilfredo Lee
[Here's how witnessing violence harms children’s mental health](
Daniel J. Flannery, Case Western Reserve University
When children learn about news like the deadly school shooting in Florida, a logical question for them to ask is: Will the same thing happen to me?
While politicians debate control, local communities can act now to keep kids safer at school. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
[10 ways schools, parents and communities can prevent school shootings now](
Elizabeth Englander, Bridgewater State University
While politicians argue endlessly over gun control, here are 10 practical ways the rest of us can work to prevent school shootings.
Long Island City’s 5Pointz, a mecca for graffiti artists, was demolished in 2014. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
[What the 5Pointz ruling means for street artists](
Leila Amineddoleh, Fordham University
A judge in New York City just awarded graffiti artists US$6.7 million after a developer whitewashed their murals. On the surface, it seems like a huge victory for street artists. But could it backfire?
Florida shooting
[The media need to think twice about how they portray mass shooters](
Russell Frank, Pennsylvania State University
When mass shootings take place, the media rush to publish details on the suspect's background. But is that approach one that does more harm than good?
[It's time to end the debate about video games and violence](
Christopher J. Ferguson, Stetson University
For years, there have been questions about research showing connections between playing violent video games and aggressive behavior.
Politics + Society
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[Zuma era lessons: how democracies can be held hostage by party machinations](
Vishnu Padayachee, University of the Witwatersrand; Jannie Rossouw, University of the Witwatersrand; Mashupye Herbert Maserumule, Tshwane University of Technology
There are several steps South Africa's governing party must take to strengthen democracy now that Jacob Zuma has resigned.
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[It's getting harder to prosecute politicians for corruption](
Peter J. Henning, Wayne State University
A legal scholar looks at the new and narrowed definition of bribery by the US Supreme Court. In the future, will politicians doing favors for donors and friends ever be prosecuted for corruption?
Science + Technology
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[Outfitting the world's best athletes for the Winter Olympics](
Susan L. Sokolowski, University of Oregon
No longer in fanciful coats or button-down shirts with neckties, Olympians compete in uniforms specially designed and engineered for maximum performance.
Environment + Energy
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[Black lung disease on the rise: 5 questions answered](
Anna Allen, West Virginia University; Carl Werntz, West Virginia University
A recent study found the largest cluster of advanced black lung disease ever recorded among coal miners in central Appalachia. Two doctors who treat black lung patients explain how miners contract it.
Health + Medicine
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[How can women feel comfortable saying no when they are told they can't say yes?](
Heather Hensman Kettrey, Vanderbilt University
A recent study found that one in three college-aged women prioritized their male partner's sexual pleasure over their own. Here's how that might lead to difficulties in saying no.
From our international editions
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[No, artificial intelligence won't steal your children's jobs – it will make them more creative and productive](
Marcos Lima, Pôle Léonard de Vinci – UGEI
The history of human-machine collaboration suggests that AI will evolve into a "cognitive partner" to humankind rather than as all-powerful, all-knowing, labour replacing robots.
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[Common products, like perfume, paint and printer ink, are polluting the atmosphere](
Jenny Fisher, University of Wollongong; Kathryn Emmerson, CSIRO
A surprising study published in Science found that as fuel emissions drop, consumer products are playing a larger role in air pollution.
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[Athletes are the most important part of the Olympics. Or are they?](
Nicole W. Forrester, Ryerson University
It would seem obvious athletes are the most important part of the Olympics. But competing issues, from sponsorship rules to politics, means the rights of athletes aren't always the top priority.
Today’s quote
[The question that arises with every mass shooting is whether these instant illustrated profiles of the killers do more harm than good.](
[The media need to think twice about how they portray mass shooters](
Russell Frank
Pennsylvania State University
[Russell Frank]
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