Weapons
Weapons on the Internet
Even if you might not immediately think about it, weapons are also present on the internet. Various users create posts or advertisements, or contact you directly to sell you weapons. If you search for weapons online, you can also find numerous instructions for building weapons that can be manufactured using a 3D printer.
Why Is This So Dangerous?
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Weapons can seriously injure or even kill people. Even sharing videos in which weapons are shown or used can normalize violence.
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Videos, pictures, or other content that glorifies weapons can increase the risk of gun violence in everyday life.
Weapons and Social Media
You probably enjoy scrolling through social media or have at least heard of it, as social media is one of the most popular pastimes among children and young people. Because of algorithms and the enormous reach of social media, radical or violence-glorifying content can spread extremely quickly. This has included life-threatening trends in the past and, in this case, advertising for weapons.
The use of weapons is sometimes glorified through clips such as “A Watermelon vs. AK-47.” This can expose younger children to gun violence and cause them to quickly underestimate the dangers involved.
What You Should Never Do
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Do not talk or write to users who want to sell you weapons.
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Do not comment on videos that show weapons and glorify their use.
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Do not download instructions for building weapons yourself – not even as a joke.
This is what such an account could look like:
