Violence in children and adolescents

[Tanya Shivari]

Many children and adolescents occasionally have physical confrontations with others, but most children and adolescents do not continue violent behavior or engage in violent crime. However, children who become violent before puberty may be at higher risk of committing crimes.
There is little evidence that violent behavior is caused by genetic defects or chromosomal abnormalities. Known risk factors for violence include the following:

Intense corporal punishment (such as punching or beating) inflicted on the child
Alcohol and drug abuse by caregivers of the child
Gang involvement
Developmental issues
Poverty
Access to firearms

There seems to be a relationship between violence and access to firearms, exposure to violence through media (such as social media and news platforms), and exposure to child abuse and domestic violence.
Violent video games may desensitize children to violence. Although experts do not think they actually cause children to become violent, children exposed to them are more used to violence being part of life.
(See also Overview of Behavioral Problems in Children and Behavioral Problems in Adolescents.)

[Zipporah Schumaker]

Children and adolescents may engage in occasional physical confrontations, but most do not develop a sustained pattern of violent behavior or engage in violent crime. Children and adolescents who become violent before puberty may be at higher risk of committing crimes.
Violent behavior is increasingly common among children and adolescents. Up to one third of children may be involved in bullying as bullies, victims, or both. Social stresses (eg, low family income, low parental education levels) are risk factors for bullying. In 2015, nearly 25% of male high school students in the US reported carrying a weapon at least once during the month before they were surveyed as part of a study on youth risks (1).
Despite ongoing interest in the possibility of a relationship between violent behavior and genetic defects or chromosomal anomalies, there is minimal evidence for such a relationship. However, several risk factors have been associated with violent behavior, including

Intense corporal punishment
Alcohol and drug abuse
Gang involvement
Developmental issues
Poverty
Access to firearms

There seems to be a relationship between violence and access to firearms, exposure to violence through media, and exposure to child abuse and domestic violence. Children who are bullied may reach a breaking point, at which time they strike back with potentially dangerous or catastrophic results.
(See also Overview of Behavioral Problems in Children and Behavior Problems in Adolescents.)