What Next | Daily News and Analysis TBD | The Cost of Suicide Prevention Software
Dec 29, 2024
Ellen Barry, a mental health reporter for the New York Times, takes a critical look at mental health monitoring software in American schools. She discusses the prevalence of these programs and their unintended consequences, like false positives and privacy breaches. Barry highlights the emotional impacts on students, illustrated through personal stories and police interventions. The conversation raises important questions about trust, ethics, and the need for supportive mental health services in education.
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Maddie Cholka's Story
- 16-year-old Maddie Cholka struggled with mental health and suicidal thoughts.
- After texting a friend about her plans, school monitoring software alerted authorities, leading to her hospitalization.
False Alarm Trauma
- Another teen's creative writing assignment triggered a false positive from the monitoring software.
- Police arrived at her home, causing trauma and distrust, highlighting the software's potential downsides.
Rise of Monitoring Software
- School-issued device usage and monitoring software increased during the pandemic.
- Schools aimed to protect students from inappropriate content, and an estimated one-third to one-half of US schoolchildren have such monitoring.