Draft:Columbiners

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The Columbiners are a group of individuals, predominantly adolescents, who are inspired by the perpetrators of the Columbine High School shooting in Littleton, Colorado. This tragic event occurred on April 20, 1999, resulting in the deaths of 15 people, including the perpetrators, and injuries to 24 others. This group represents an online subculture that often glorifies the actions of the two shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, and analyzes the psychological and social dynamics related to this tragedy. Columbiners may express their interest through forums, social media, and other online platforms, where they discuss themes such as violence, youth culture, and mental health. However, their glorification of the shooters and their actions has raised ethical and social concerns, as it may contribute to a distorted understanding of the tragedy and its consequences.

Origins

In the years following the massacre, a group of individuals, predominantly adolescents, began to form an online community focused on the lives and motivations of the shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. This group, known as Columbiners, evolved through forums, social media, and platforms like Tumblr and Reddit, where users share art, videos, fan fiction, and discussions related to the shooting and its perpetrators.

Criticisms and Controversies

Criticism of the Columbiners is numerous and concerns various aspects of the phenomenon. Many argue that the community glorifies the Columbine High School shooters, idealizing their actions and inciting emulation, which distorts the perception of violence, romanticizing it. Mental health experts warn that this interest can amplify existing issues among vulnerable youth, leading to self-destructive behaviors and social isolation. Furthermore, the narratives shared may offend the families of the victims and complicate the healing process, while the presence of these online communities hinders constructive dialogue about youth violence and mental health. Ultimately, the glorification of the perpetrators could inspire imitations, making it necessary to address the phenomenon with sensitivity and responsibility, promoting violence prevention and mental health support.

Responses from Authorities

Monitoring and Security

Following the 1999 shooting, many schools increased security measures, implementing online monitoring programs and risk assessment protocols to identify problematic behaviors among students.

Awareness Campaigns

Some institutions have launched awareness programs on youth violence, aiming to educate students about the dangers of glorifying violence and the consequences of violent actions.

Legislation

There have been legislative proposals to limit access to violent content online and to improve gun regulation, in response to concerns about the imitation of violent behaviors.

Psychological Reflections

Psychological reflections on Columbiners reveal that many members identify with Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, often feeling alienated and misunderstood. This identification can lead to a romanticization of violence, where the shooters are viewed as symbols of rebellion. Individuals may seek answers regarding social dynamics and human behavior, but some may also have mental health issues that exacerbate their attraction to this community. Emotional detachment from the victims and the impact of social media contribute to normalizing problematic ideas, increasing the risks of imitation.

Correlated voices

• fandom
• massacre
• columbine effect

Sources

1. The Atlantic(1): https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2021/03/countering-the-lost-cause-narrative-the-experiment/618196/
2. The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/cancel-culture-looks-a-lot-like-old-fashioned-church-discipline-158685
3. KTVU: https://www.ktvu.com/news/columbiners-and-tcc-a-look-at-the-columbine-obsessed-subculture-that-exists-online
4. CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/episode-221-inside-the-world-of-columbiners-kidults-radical-homemakers-and-more-1.2961895/inside-the-online-subculture-of-columbiners-1.2961908
5. The Week: https://theweek.com/education/online-groups-columbine
6. SHS: https://www.shs-conferences.org/articles/shsconf/abs/2022/04/shsconf_eac-law2021_00082/shsconf_eac-law2021_00082.html
7. SageJournals: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0002764218755835
8. TheAtlantic(2): https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/04/columbine-school-shooting-mythology/678119/