Some studies indicate that viewing aggression activates regions of the brain responsible for regulating emotions, including aggression. Several studies, in fact, have linked viewing violence with an increased risk for aggression, anger, and failing to understand the suffering of others.

While media violence exposure may have short-term effects on adults, its negative impact on children is enduring. As this study suggests, early exposure to TV violence places both male and female children at risk for the development of aggressive and violent behavior in adulthood.

The vast majority of laboratory-based experimental studies have revealed that violent media exposure causes increased aggressive thoughts, angry feelings, physiologic arousal, hostile appraisals, aggressive behavior, and desensitization to violence and decreases prosocial behavior (eg, helping others) and empathy.

Research suggests that exposure to violent programming on TV increases physical aggression in children, such as getting into fights and disrupting the play of others. Many argue that this increase in aggression contributes to the increase in criminal violence.

Research evidence has accumulated over the past half-century that exposure to violence on television, movies, and most recently in video games increases the risk of violent behavior on the viewer’s part just as growing up in an environment filled with real violence increases the risk of violent behavior.

Effects of violence Violence can cause physical injury as well as psychological harm. Several psychological disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociative identity disorder, and borderline personality disorder, are associated with experiencing or witnessing violence.

The causes of violence are multiple. The psychological literature usually divides these causes into four highly overlapping categories: (1) biological, (2) socialization, (3) cognitive, and (4) situational factors.

Collective violence

• Physical violence.
• Sexual violence.
• Psychological violence.
• Neglect.

Ten Things Kids Can Do To Stop Violence

1. Settle arguments with words, not fists or weapons.
2. Learn safe routes for walking in the neighborhood, and know good places to seek help.
3. Report any crimes or suspicious actions to the police, school authorities, and parents.

10 Things You Can Do to Prevent Violence in Your School Community

1. Talk to Your Children.
2. Set Clear Rules and Limits for Your Children.
3. Know the Warning Signs.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Parent; Know When to Intervene.
5. Stay Involved in Your Child’s School.
6. Join Your PTA or a Violence Prevention Coalition.

Consequences include increased incidences of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and suicide; increased risk of cardiovascular disease; and premature mortality. The health consequences of violence vary with the age and sex of the victim as well as the form of violence.

Violence is an extreme form of aggression, such as assault, rape or murder. Violence has many causes, including frustration, exposure to violent media, violence in the home or neighborhood and a tendency to see other people’s actions as hostile even when they’re not.

Individual Risk Factors

• History of violent victimization.
• Attention deficits, hyperactivity, or learning disorders.
• History of early aggressive behavior.
• Involvement with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
• Low IQ.
• Poor behavioral control.
• Deficits in social cognitive or information-processing abilities.
• High emotional distress.

Violence can include:

• Bullying. ​Bullying refers to repeated victimization (physical or emotional) of a person by another person or group.
• Child Maltreatment.
• Community Violence.
• Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence.
• School Violence.
• Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence.
• Sex Trafficking.
• Teen Dating Violence.

Causes of school-based violence

• Involvement in gang activities;
• Lack of transformation in schools;
• Negative perceptions of crime amongst black, coloured and white learners;
• The presence of guns and other weapons at school;
• The use of cannabis and other substances;
• A lack of counselling services;

Health consequences: Children’s mental health and well-being can be adversely impacted by bullying. Bullying is associated with higher rates of feeling lonely and suicidal, higher rates of smoking, alcohol and cannabis use and lower rates of self-reported life satisfaction and health.

Exposure to youth violence and school violence can lead to a wide array of negative health behaviors and outcomes, including alcohol and drug use and suicide. Depression, anxiety, and many other psychological problems, including fear, can result from school violence.

lack of emotional bonding between children and parents or caregivers. poor parenting practices. family dysfunction and separation. being associated with delinquent peers.

Aggressive or violent tendencies can result from several different mental health conditions. Alcohol and drug abuse may produce violent behavior, even when a person is not usually violent. Posttraumatic stress and bipolar can also lead to the violent expression of aggressive thoughts.

[1] Exposure to violence can harm a child’s emotional, psychological and even physical development. Children exposed to violence are more likely to have difficulty in school, abuse drugs or alcohol, act aggressively, suffer from depression or other mental health problems and engage in criminal behavior as adults.