Philadelphia Flash Mobs

Over the past year, “flash mobs” have popped up as a way for large groups to meet up via social networks They have taken to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and texting to organize everything from mass snowball fights to a giant dance tribute after the death of Michael Jackson. In Philadelphia, however, the flash mob phenomenon has taken a decidedly violent turn.



Today we asked our panel what they think causes groups of teenagers to turn violent. After reading their opinions, share your thoughts by leaving a comment.


RYAN JOHN:
For the un-evolved mind, beating someone up is the same as getting an A on a paper to the intellectual mind.  Although it doesn't take much  to beat someone up with the help of four or five other people, there is still that feeling of dominance and superiority an ignorant person gets.  Now, when professional fighters fight other professional fighters one on one, like boxing or MMA, its a science that involves skill, mental and physical dedication and I admire the guys who can do this.  The physical jousting of two trained fighter is just as impressive to me to watch as two minds debating the meaning of life.

However, when you see the sometimes violent result of these flash mobs and other vicious beating as showcased on the internet, it's human behavior at it's worst.  I haven't encountered these flash mobs in Philadelphia, but It infuriates me to think about the victimization of innocent people and business owners from some kids who have nothing better to do.

So, here we go again with the never ending question any social ill prompts. Who do we blame?  Is it the public schools, social networking sites, or the rec centers for not having enough weekend programs?  Consumers should suffer from the jacked up prices of business owners so we can tax them more to create more social programs so these kids will have something to do. I kid, of course. It's the kids faults for participating in this and the parents who don't care enough to stop it.  Pay attention!  If your son or daughter shows signs of being involved in this type of stuff, don't let them out of the house.

If these kids want to congregate all throughout the city wreaking havoc on who or whatever they want, they should be prepared to suffer the consequences.  The mayor of Philly and police commissioner have taken a pretty tough stance on this, but if the problem persists, bring in the national guard and start using violence on these kids if you have to. I can see it now.  Somebody is going to get in trouble for using excessive force on one of these kids and  that will create another issue on top of the one at hand. However it's dealt with, it needs to stop.  Innocent people shouldn't have to suffer if they want to enjoy the city streets on a nice spring weekend they look forward to all week.


SCOTT HINKLEY:
It is difficult for me to say what drives teens to violence, as I was never much for violence when I was a teenager, but I can certainly look to the usual culprits: a desire to have impact on your own life, boredom, revenge, angst. The first thing people seem to say when they hear of youth violence is "where were their parents?" I would guess that in many cases the answer is working, or caring for other younger children. I think the important aspect of this story is to look at the ways young people are using technology to leave their parents out of their decisions. I am reminded of the poor girl in Massachusetts who hung herself recently in response to bullying, much of which took place on social sites. I think the double importance here is that parents are pretty much absent from their children's on-line activities, and that the results of these activities have very real, physical, consequences.

I think it is important for parents to step up and guide their child's life on-line as well as off, but I am doubtful that there is much guidance to be had. It seem unlikely that there is much wisdom in how to conduct yourself with respect, especially with adults using on-line persona to live out all the devious and deceitful things they are too ashamed to be associated with directly. Social networks are here to say, and trying to control behavior through restrictions to these sites seems about as misguided as closing the mall to stop truancy. We need to begin to accept that communication is power, and we better respect that power, or our voices will quickly be drowned out by those looking to have their say for the first time.

ROSEANNE FRANGIONE:
While reading about the flash mobs in Philadelphia as well as the television news coverage, my first question is, “Where are the parents?” As the mother of two young boys, I am always aware of where they are and what they are doing. Of course, my children aren't teenages, however I have no plans to stop parenting when my boys become older. It may not be easy to handle children as they grow into teens, but it is still the job of a parent to guard and to guide, to love and to teach, and to lead by example. However, even with all the love and guidance a parent can give, there must be social outlets for teenagers.
Ryan and Nikki are both contributors for American Currents who are from Philadelphia. I'd like to ask them both if they are aware of any programs in Philadelphia for teens. What kind of resourceful recreation is available for the kids in the city? Fortunately for the teens my area, Tampa Bay is a year round tourist spot which enables many of them to have part time jobs after school and in the summer. There are also many youth groups and teen clubs around Tampa Bay to keep kids active and off the streets. To me, it seems as though the youth of Philadelphia have become bored and reckless, which sadly is leading to violence.
May I suggest to Philadelphia's Mayor Nutter that he look into expanding teen-related activities before being so quick to condemn and persecute his city's next generation.

DAVID LOFTUS:
“Flash mobs” are expressions of a confluence of basic human needs: for getting together with others, for escape from solitariness and boredom, for power and its expression. There’s nothing inherently dangerous in them, but when they’re not particularly well organized -- when they’re largely spontaneous -- they can bring together a volatile combination of a few people with dangerous ideas and many other followers who feel safely anonymous while committing unlawful or unethical acts.

I don’t think it’s the youth of the participants that makes a mob inherently unstable. Though there is undeniably such a thing as testosterone-overdosed teenage males (which also finds expression in extreme sports, fights organized and unplanned, gang violence, and speeding tickets), on the other hand the mobs of Nazi Germany were mostly composed of grownups.

I haven’t seen a close examination of the kids who participate in the rowdier, more violent mobs, but I have to suspect many of them are no longer under the control of adults in any case. They’re either out of high school by virtue of their age, or they’ve dropped out and/or left home anyway. God knows there are plenty of families where there hasn’t been sufficient or proper adult supervision of the children, but somehow I suspect that’s not the problem here. There’s really not much society can do except make sure law enforcement responds quickly and firmly when these things start to gather steam.