Between 2002 and 2023, there were at least 36 attacks with weapons at schools in Brazil, resulting in the deaths of 49 students and teachers. The crimes were committed by white men using firearms (44% of cases) or bladed weapons (another 44%). Revenge, resentment, or a desire for notoriety were the most frequent reasons associated with the act, often influenced by hate speech or online communities that promote extreme violence. A report presented to the Brazilian Ministry of Education in November, coordinated by Daniel Cara, a sociologist from the School of Education at the University of São Paulo, identified the possible causes and proposed 12 ways of addressing the problem. The suggested measures include making efforts to dismantle communities that preach hate; placing greater restrictions on access to weapons; holding social media platforms accountable for the circulation of extremist and illegal content; and punishing people who share videos of attacks. The report also highlights the need to create welcoming environments and promote mental health policies at educational institutions, to expand community leisure spaces, and to reach agreements with online media outlets on the most appropriate ways to cover cases.
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