In todays’ world, you bear the consequences of your child’s actions. This seems to be the case even when your rights as the parent are diminished by the concept that the government knows what is better for your child than you do. California seems to be the guiding light in this extremist approach to parental encroachment with Assembly Bill 957 that removes a child from the home if the parent does not agree to chemical castrationshould the child declare their gender identity as affirmed by the medical community. The bill has the potential to classify parents in custody battles as abusive if they refuse to affirm their child’s gender identity. It is not a good sign when a California Senator Scott Wilk warns parents to leave the state if they love their children. We may look at California and wonder how have they gotten to this point, but the fact remains, this is happening in multiple states across the country through grants, legislative processes, and misguided mentally ill politicians, republicans and democrats alike.
Case in point is the leader in state sponsored educational child experimentation (in the name of “education”), Pennsylvania. Most recently, but definitely not the first, Pennsylvania has taken on an experimental social platform with a focus on gender affirmation through a grant funded program called Kooth. To my chagrin, this platform is being heralded by both democrats and republicans alike with no forethought to the actual ramifications that could abound. This program is packaged up in pretty word salad wrapping, but here are some facts before we dig in further.
1. The Kooth program was originally used in the UK, was only a self referral program. In the U.S., it is not only referred by schools but incentivized to impressionable children.
2. Kooth is a digital mental health program despite research showing that increased time on digital or social media, increase incidents of depression and suicide.
3. To use Kooth, a child as young as age 14 does not need to get parental permission and the school does not feel the need to tell you the child is using Kooth.
While Kooth is one digital program of concern, there is a growing sentiment that social media may not be safe for children. The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, stated, “Children are exposed to harmful content on social media, ranging from violent and sexual content, to bullying and harassment. And for many children, social media use is compromising their sleep and valuable in-person time with family and friends. We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis- one that we must urgently address.”
Adolescence is a critical stage in brain development which makes this population more vulnerable to the harmful effects of social media. Research shows that more than 3 hours per day on social media doubles the risk of symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. Yet social media is the very tool that PA has decided to use to connect with struggling adolescents because of the cost savings factor. I would say, if the child is struggling, call the parent and let them know, so the parent can interact with their children and seek a course of action- if needed. That is the extent to which a school should be involved in a child’s life beyond basic education. A school is there to educate, not to doctor, not to counsel, nothing. They are responsible for the mathematics, reading, science, history, art, and language. But do you believe they are teaching those things effectively? (Side note: since we are heading towards the bottom when it comes to educational outcomes, I am going to go with no), and that is it.
In Pennsylvania, we have a bigger issue; minor consent laws. Currently, at the age of 14, the ability of a parent to guide their child through a mental health crisis is null. At the age of 14, too young to buy a lottery ticket, a child going through a mental health crisis can make his or her (because there are only two genders) medical decisions. It is 11 years of age in Philadelphia if it is for immunization with the Covid vaccine… you know, the one where they needed an added ingredient to stop a heart attack in children. But lest, a child knows best is the motto in most households these days (insert eye roll here). Back to the point. At an age where a child is still reliant on the parent, the parent is bypassed and a second or third entity is allowed to come in and access the child at anytime through their phone or computer and intervene with mental health. The adolescent years are aconfusing time in the life of a child. The child is vying for independence, trying to figure out who they are. Yet, in the midst of those quite normal struggles, Kooth has publicly admitted that the intention is to talk about gender identity (see “Board of Education Combined Meeting 5-23-23” https://www.youtube.com/live/oQi46tQ1cU?feaeture=share), if the topic happens to arise (insert second eye roll here). This seems like a recipe for disaster. In a period of time when you aren’t even sure what you want to be when you grow up, you are asked if you know what gender you may want. This is presented even with a 25% detransition rate and 75% changing their mind as an adult. Did I mention the permanent damage from the medical castration that takes place from transition? Does seem like it’s the direction we should be heading in?
Kooth and others are creating and doubly increasing the problem while offering the solution. This is while profiting on increased users and potentially selling data points. Dr. McFillin’s stated: “This app is dangerous and another attempt to further alienate children from their families. From a mental health perspective, this is another measure to indoctrinate vulnerable children under the disguise of scientific legitimacy around mental health. Adolescents are notoriously impulsive, prone to social contagion and seek out attention from peers. This app will target those who are struggling with normal developmental questions around identity and connection to others. Teens experiencing normal negative emotions are prone to being labeled and pushed into a system. This will no doubt identify more kids who are “mentally ill” and even push some kids to identify as suicidal in order to receive validation for any temporary struggle they may be experiencing. Consequently, pushing them into a “treatment” that is now emphasizing dangerous psychiatric drugs.”
What can parents do? Show up to your school board meetings. The school board has the power to decide whether parents are being told pertinent information about their children… or not. Get your child away from any government education system or those that lean liberal. Consider private schools, community education, co-ops, or even homeschooling. Today, there are many different options, resources, and educational opportunities for children that are demonstrating good outcomes and providing opportunities for parents to be involved and on task with their children. The government schools and their “partners”will be grooming your child with the permission and support of both republicans and democrats. Still willing to entrust your children to your political party of choice?
US Department of Health and Human Services, Enhancing the health and well-being of all Americans; May 23, 2023; Surgeon General Issues New Advisory About Effects Social Media Use Has on Youth Mental Health
Sharko M. Jameson R, Ancker JS, et al. State-By-State Variability in Adolescent Privacy Laws. Pediatrics. 2022;149 (6) e2021053458
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