SUMMARY

"Teen takeovers" — where teens coordinate on social media to show up en masse at the same place and same time — have swept some U.S. cities in recent months. At times, these meetups have turned violent, putting officials on edge as schools across the nation let out for the summer.

NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?

News alternative: Check our recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Who is affected by the teen takeovers?
2. What are students seeking from a takeover, according to Lily Robin?
3. When do teens set up these events? At what time do they unfold?
4. Why are teens engaging in these teen takeovers, according to the students who testified at a D.C. council meeting?
5. How can these events be used to better understand the needs of teenagers, according to Robin?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

1. The addition of a youth curfew was said to not be enough in stopping these teen takeovers. What do you think are potential solutions that can be used to reduce the number of takeovers, or at least decrease the size of them?
2. Whose responsibility is it to help resolve this rising matter? Where do you think the issue stems from?

Media literacy:

Why do you think the News Hour producers chose to include an image of the curfew notice?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

A. Read the opinion article 'Teen takeovers' are result of negligence of Chicago's 'forgotten' children. After reading, answer the following questions:

• Robert Jordan, the writer of this article, mentions the increased number of absences that have resulted post-pandemic. What connections can be drawn between the rising school absences and the teen takeovers that have been taking place, according to Jordan? Why or why not?
• What is the root of this issue? What is the role that parents play in helping stop these takeovers from continuing, according to Jordan?

B. Visit the following two links on solutions to 'teen takeover.' Discuss with a peer and then answer the questions that follow.

• The ultimate teen bucket list
• Groups work on alternative options for young people to avoid 'teen takeovers' in Chicago

1. What function do each article play with finding answers in response to the sudden events that have risen?
2. Has the community been able to come together as a result of this takeover? Why or why not?
3. Who do you think is the main group responsible for handling this situation?

C. Have students create a list of activities they believe can be done to resolve the teen takeovers going on. Additionally, ask them what they believe parents and the community can do to help create greater visibility for teenagers.

Written by Justin Vasquez Peralta, PBS News Hour Classroom's intern and News Hour's Vic Pasquantonio

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