‘All we want is revenge’: How social media fuels gun violence among US teens


A digital drawing, made with black pencil and red and neon blue gouache, shows a teenager standing in the center. The figure’s human head has been replaced with a red rose, which is losing its petals. The rose petals fall around the figure with drops of water, symbolizing tears. The figure’s body is half within a broken smartphone, the frame of which is coloured the same red as the rose. In the background, smaller red cellphones are aligned horizontally. Their screens show a combination of guns, a happy human teen with a friend, and a memorial of the same teen. Behind everything, the base background is black and ominous. — Oona Tempest/KFF Health News/TNS

Juan Campos has been working to save at-risk teens from gun violence for 16 years.

As a street outreach worker in Oakland, California, he has seen the pull and power of gangs. And he offers teens support when they’ve emerged from the juvenile justice system, advocates for them in school, and, if needed, helps them find housing, mental health services, and treatment for substance abuse.

The Star 6.6 DEAL: 35% OFF Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.04/month

Billed as RM 9.04 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Tech News

Watchdog: Threats to US lawmakers spiked after Meta eased moderation
OpenAI considers drastic price cuts, anticipating war for users with Anthropic, WSJ reports
Apple WWDC 2026 recap: What’s�coming to�iPhone, Mac and�other devices
Microsoft's Xbox plans for major layoffs next month, Bloomberg News reports
OpenAI says Chinese propaganda is being deployed to foment dissent over tariffs, data centers
Oracle's AI spending blows past estimates, raising worries over growing debt
Anthropic urges US not to block state AI laws without setting federal standards
Oracle awarded US contract to provide government-wide HR software
Exclusive-GM may ditch LFP batteries for future EVs
Tesla gets go-ahead to sell self-driving technology in Belgium

Others Also Read