In 2016, four children in the U.S. tragically lost their lives due to lightning strikes. Meanwhile, gun violence took the lives of 637 kids under 11. Between 2002 and 2011, over 9,000 American children under 12 died in car accidents. The year 2014 saw 425 children aged 10 to 14 commit suicide. Unintentional incidents resulted in the deaths of 2,696 kids under 14. Additionally, 643 children were victims of homicide. According to the CDC, “Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning, two of whom are children aged 14 or younger.”
Remarkably, in 2016, no American children were victims of terrorism. The only notable incident in recent years was one child lost in the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Before that, there were no child fatalities due to terrorism, going back to 2001, when eight children died on 9/11. Prior to that, 19 children perished in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.
In a time when we debate the number of Syrian refugees to allow into the country, these statistics are crucial to keep in mind. Children in conflict zones like Aleppo are dying at alarming rates from violence, and yet we seem more concerned about the perceived threat to our own children. The vetting process for refugees is rigorous; it consists of nine steps, including various opportunities for additional checks before any refugee can enter the U.S. After entering, they must obtain a green card, triggering yet another round of scrutiny. Only about 1% of global refugees are eligible for entry into the U.S. The likelihood of a terrorist slipping through this tiny filter is far less than the risk of a child drowning or facing homicide.
We tend to focus on extraordinary risks rather than the common ones. News outlets rarely report on the alarming rates of child drownings or car crash fatalities. Instead, we are bombarded with sensational stories of shark attacks, mass shootings, and terrorism. The media and government public service announcements tend to emphasize mundane risks—like the importance of wearing seatbelts or vaccinating children.
Risk perception is often distorted, influenced by media narratives and personal experiences. For instance, with constant reports about radicalized individuals among Syrian refugees, it’s easy for people to view them as a greater threat to their children than the neighborhood swimming pool.
Cultural narratives have primed us to see Arabs as potential terrorists, thanks to a media environment that vilifies them. This perspective leads to misguided beliefs about who poses a threat. As Jason Miller, a communications director for a political transition team, suggested, the previous administrations’ national registry for visitors from high-terrorism countries was essential for national safety. However, this overlooks the fact that many perpetrators of terror, including the 9/11 hijackers, hailed from U.S.-allied nations.
In August, the U.S. welcomed its 10,000th Syrian refugee—an initiative pushed by former President Obama amidst international pressure regarding the global migration crisis. These refugees have settled in various cities across the country, and remarkably, the number of American children harmed by these refugees remains at zero.
So, what should you really worry about? Focus on the swimming pool. Be concerned about that unlocked firearm. Check if your child’s car seat is secure or if they’re wearing their seatbelt. Also, keep in mind the risks of pregnancy loss (the second leading cause of death in infants) or childhood cancer, which is among the top causes of death in kids aged 1 to 14. Don’t fret about Syrian refugees launching attacks; instead, consider the dangers they face themselves.
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Summary
In a world where we worry about perceived threats, the statistics reveal that far more children are at risk from everyday dangers like drowning or gun violence than from terrorism. Understanding the actual risks can help us prioritize our concerns more effectively.