Just posted this as a comment, but probably worth sharing more widely.

According to stats, violence against children is generally lower now than it ever has been. And that’s relying on older stats about domestic abuse, which are generally believed to be far worse than reported because so many child abuse cases went unreported back in the day.

Meanwhile, the Internet is driving a 24-hour news cycle, where what makes money is immediate reporting of anything that will get you to click on something immediately. Ten years ago, you might never have heard of a violent crime even if it was local. Today, [my friend in Arizona] is sharing a local news page from Philly.

You want trends? Until the end of the 19th century, EVERY child in the world was subjected to child abuse by current definitions.

The media make money by scaring you to death. Don’t fall for it. Don’t raise your kids to be as terrified as you are.