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Original poster

Year 6 (11 year olds) torturing worms

135 replies

mollyminniemo · 30/01/2025 18:52

I know this may look like a rather bizarre thread but I need some other thoughts/ advice. My DS (11) who is a vegetarian and animal lover told me 4 of his friends yesterday stomped on a worm and killed it on purpose. DS was trying to save it on a sports field and they crowded round him to stop him getting a little stick to take it away and into soil away from all the kids. They kept preventing him from doing it and then crowded round and began stomping on the poor worm. Every time DS tried to get back in they’d (I don’t think with much force) use their hockey sticks to bat him away. They all took part in gleefully stamping on the poor worm “untill it was just mush”.
I’m horrified. What would you do?
I can speak to the boys myself as I come into the school at lunchtimes in the week. Or
message the parents? Ask the headmaster to discuss it in an assembly or with them individually?

OP posts:
RisingSunn · 30/01/2025 19:13

There’s a difference between stepping on it accidentally and stomping it into mush. 🤢

Im assuming some posters are fine with kids stomping on a puppy? It’s not about the type of animal - it’s the thinking behind it.

skilpadde · 30/01/2025 19:14

It's well known that torturing creatures like insects can be a precursor to bullying or otherwise abusive behaviour

This is fundamentally untrue. There is an established link that those who torture pet animals (such as cats or dogs) are more likely to go on to inflict violence on people.

I saved flies from drowning in the paddling pool when I was a kid. I save them from drowning in the pond even now, and rescue bees that need a drink. Nonetheless, I would never pretend that there is any known link between killing an insect and becoming a future abuser of people.

hattie43 · 30/01/2025 19:15

Iknewyouwerewaitingforme · 30/01/2025 18:57

Sadly it’s no wonder we have kids enjoying deliberately inflicting pain on fellow living creatures when they have parents, judging from some of the comments on here, who have not taught them love, compassion, empathy, kindness, respect for all living creatures. This is how serial killers are made.

This .
I'm horrified at that some people here are likely parents . A worm today a kitten tomorrow. Where do you draw the line all you who don't think it's importing

hattie43 · 30/01/2025 19:15

Important

Member869894 · 30/01/2025 19:18

We used to cut worms in half as kids to see if they would survive. I'm not a serial killer now and love my dog. I really can't take this seriously

SouthLondonMum22 · 30/01/2025 19:21

RisingSunn · 30/01/2025 19:13

There’s a difference between stepping on it accidentally and stomping it into mush. 🤢

Im assuming some posters are fine with kids stomping on a puppy? It’s not about the type of animal - it’s the thinking behind it.

Of course it's about the type of animal.

I wouldn't eat a puppy but I'd eat some chicken
I wouldn't kick a puppy but can't get worked up about someone killing a worm or a spider

Most people are the same, especially if they eat meat.

Ablondiebutagoody · 30/01/2025 19:22

DS can't love animals that much if he needs a stick to touch them.

RaininSummer · 30/01/2025 19:24

I am shocked by the posters who can't see an issue here. Torture may not have been the word but the behaviour was abhorrent. I doubt the boys had a philosophical or scientific discussion about how worms feel pain before they behaved like little savages. I would speak to the school.

TurtlesDoNotPetsMake · 30/01/2025 19:25

Worse happens in a slaughter house, and we eat it!

Member869894 · 30/01/2025 19:26

I'm amazed that anyone would be 'shocked' at some kids killing worms

Lovelysummerdays · 30/01/2025 19:28

BobbyBiscuits · 30/01/2025 19:01

I used to do this thing called 'worm hospital' where we'd cut them in half to see if they'd grow again. And also pretend to 'save' the dying ones. This was around that age, late primary.

It's not great is it. But it didn't lead me to become a torturer. And I'd never have dreamt of hurting a bigger animal. Not that I'm justifying it, but it is based on curiosity. Rather than malice.

It's good if he tells them how gross it is. That hurting animals is disgusting.

But I wouldn't start assuming they're on the road to becoming the local band of axe murders.

I was told as a child if you cut a worm up it would form new worms and that you could do it up to seven times but after that they’d die. I have no idea if that is remotely true or just an urban legend of the 80s

PumpkinSpicedLatte · 30/01/2025 19:29

Those saying that this isn’t a problem, are the sort of parents that have kids like that and think it’s acceptable. Where do you draw the line? If it was a mouse, a cat, a dog, or another child then it would be wrong so why does it make it ok ‘because it’s a worm’? I would 100% go to the head about it. Not just for the sake of it being a creature but that is bullying for your son. Sorry OP I hope you get it sorted x

RaininSummer · 30/01/2025 19:29

TurtlesDoNotPetsMake · 30/01/2025 19:25

Worse happens in a slaughter house, and we eat it!

I don't.

Samelly · 30/01/2025 19:31

My daughters a veggie too (11) and some kid stomped hard on a cockroach in a queue at Disney and my daughter didn’t stop thinking/mentioning it for ages after. It’s just mindless and some kids are just mean. Like she hates spiders but wouldn’t dream of killing one or not removing it humanely

Newuser75 · 30/01/2025 19:31

PumpkinSpicedLatte · 30/01/2025 19:29

Those saying that this isn’t a problem, are the sort of parents that have kids like that and think it’s acceptable. Where do you draw the line? If it was a mouse, a cat, a dog, or another child then it would be wrong so why does it make it ok ‘because it’s a worm’? I would 100% go to the head about it. Not just for the sake of it being a creature but that is bullying for your son. Sorry OP I hope you get it sorted x

I agree totally!
I'm shocked that people think this is acceptable, for both the worm and your son.
I would mention it to the school.

SouthLondonMum22 · 30/01/2025 19:32

PumpkinSpicedLatte · 30/01/2025 19:29

Those saying that this isn’t a problem, are the sort of parents that have kids like that and think it’s acceptable. Where do you draw the line? If it was a mouse, a cat, a dog, or another child then it would be wrong so why does it make it ok ‘because it’s a worm’? I would 100% go to the head about it. Not just for the sake of it being a creature but that is bullying for your son. Sorry OP I hope you get it sorted x

People draw a line all of the time. Especially those who eat meat.

I eat chicken but I wouldn't eat puppy.

FindusMakesPancakes · 30/01/2025 19:33

To me, this is not actually about the worm suffering. This is about a group of children who were picking on OP's son, directly trying to stop him showing compassion to a living creature, whatever that creature was. They went out of their way to do something that was distressing to one of their classmates. That is where the cruelty comes into it.

It was bullying of a child who was being kind, empathetic and compassionate. That is unacceptable and the school should be made aware.

Lovelysummerdays · 30/01/2025 19:34

Honestly child stomps on worm whilst not ideal it’s not exactly serial killer behaviour. I hoover up spiders, they will die outside anyway. When I had a wasps nest / cluster flies they were poisoned/ fumigated. When there was mice they were poisoned too. I don’t think I’m going to start killing people off.

Children can be vile and they were enjoying winding your son up. I’d let it go tbh.

EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 30/01/2025 19:38

I'm an adult and found it upsetting even I saw a group of teens stamp on a cinnabar moth. I have no idea why they felt the need to do it, they were definitely old enough to know better. It's so unnecessary.

But then I struggle with why that's bad but it's ok for me to spray the house regularly to try and keep the sodding clothes moths under control.

TrixieFatell · 30/01/2025 19:45

EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 30/01/2025 19:38

I'm an adult and found it upsetting even I saw a group of teens stamp on a cinnabar moth. I have no idea why they felt the need to do it, they were definitely old enough to know better. It's so unnecessary.

But then I struggle with why that's bad but it's ok for me to spray the house regularly to try and keep the sodding clothes moths under control.

For me it's the enjoyment they got from killing it

BobbyBiscuits · 30/01/2025 19:47

@Lovelysummerdays yep, it was the 80s and we were testing that theory. Somewhat unethically.

Original poster
mollyminniemo · 30/01/2025 21:15

Thanks for the very kind comments about my DS. Also happy to see those who also feel sad that 11 year olds could enjoy inflicting very purposeful pain and kill a fellow living creature, “even” if it is “just” a worm. I’m of course also concerned about the bullying nature of this, hence why I mentioned the hockey sticks being used against him to prevent him helping the worm, as think all in all it sums up a horrible situation. Thanks for the advice re. how to possibly deal with this, I definitely won’t approach the children directly now!😊

Also *Ablondiebutagoody *thanks for the lovely comment but he uses a little stick rather than his hands as heard worms can get burnt from human skin contact, while not sure if this is true apparently they can suffer from the oils on our hands. But thanks.

OP posts:
Glitchymn1 · 30/01/2025 21:21

If you enjoy hurting any living creature, I’m sorry but you are a cunt. Usually escalates too, for those saying “it’s just a worm’. Might just be your child next… or you, or something you care about.

Praise your son.

HPandthelastwish · 30/01/2025 21:25

@mollyminniemo he is right about worms, same with frogs and similar the oils, lotions and potions transfer to them via our hands, you should always wet your hand, preferably in pond water before picking them up - frogs and toads that is

Catza · 30/01/2025 21:28

mollyminniemo · 30/01/2025 18:54

They didn’t “tread” on it. They tortured it stamping on it taking turns on purpose.

Worms are not sentient beings, their nervous system does not process stimuli in the same way as larger animals do. They don't feel pain (as far as we know). They have protective mechanisms which make them recoil on touch but that's about it. You cannot torture something which feels no pain. It's a good opportunity to teach your son about biology, perhaps. Speaking about it with parents and teachers is a bit OTT.