From what I've read, this is what happens when children are sexualized too early. They become sociopathic/psychopathic. No concern for anyone but themselves and lack of sympathy. But I'm taking a wild guess that the NY Times didn't cover that angle?
I was surprised to learn that these were four junior high boys. Sounded like girls on the video.
My guess would be that one of the boys ... a leader type that the others look up to and fear ... is a psychotic bully and that the others went along with him.
Were there any kids on the bus who tried to defend the old gal?
Maybe they didn’t want to become targets themselves.
It’s interesting how much this touched people to the extent of actually sending money to the woman.
Most of the article was concerned about lack of empathy among children, violence and even murder. I don’t recall anything about sexuality but it was a few weeks ago now and my memory is not too good. It didn’t seem to be dominated by political correctness but maybe it was!