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 in adulthood (1). (See also Conduct Disorder.)
Generally decreasing trends in violent behavior, including physical attacks and physical fighting, have been noted in adolescents globally, primarily owing to country-specific initiatives (eg, educational initiatives against street fights, bullying) (2). However, the prevalence of violent behavior remains stable in some regions, which may sometimes be attributed to varying cultural perceptions about acceptable physical behaviors or rarely to factors such as civil unrest.
Despite ongoing interest in the possibility of a genetic basis for violent behavior in children, further investigation is required to elucidate the biological mechanism and interplay between genes and environment that results in aggression (3). However, several risk factors have been associated with violent behavior, including the following (4):
Physical punishment
Alcohol and drug use
Gang involvement
Developmental problems
Poverty
Access to firearms
Acts of violence by youth have been associated with access to firearms, exposure to violence through media (such as social media and news platforms), and exposure to child abuse and domestic violence. Exposure to violent video games increases the risk of desensitization to real-life violence, which in turn may increase aggression and decrease socially accepted behavior (5).
In 2019, 19.8% of male high school students in the United States reported carrying a weapon at least once during the month before they were surveyed as part of a study on youth risks (6). Additionally, in a survey of 28,442 youth, carrying weapons at school was found to be more common among students who experienced threats or injuries with weapons, those involved in physical fights, and those who missed school because of safety concerns and among bullied male students compared to those who were not exposed to school violence (7).
Increased access to safe and supportive school environments and to programs promoting mental health may help prevent violence and deter weapon use (7).
(See also Overview of Behavioral Problems in Children and Psychosocial Development in Adolescents.)
General references
1. Blair RJ, Leibenluft E, Pine DS. Conduct disorder and callous-unemotional traits in youth. N Engl J Med. 2014;371(23):2207-2216. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1315612
2. Smith L, López Sánchez GF, Oh H, et al. Temporal Trends of Physical Fights and Physical Attacks Among Adolescents Aged 12-15 years From 30 Countries From Africa, Asia, and the Americas. J Adolesc Health. 2024;74(5):996-1005. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.12.005
3. Koyama E, Kant T, Takata A, Kennedy JL, Zai CC. Genetics of child aggression, a systematic review. Transl Psychiatry. 2024;14(1):252. Published 2024 Jun 11. doi:10.1038/s41398-024-02870-7
4. Duke NN, Pettingell SL, McMorris BJ, Borowsky IW. Adolescent violence perpetration: associations with multiple types of adverse childhood experiences. Pediatrics. 2010;125(4):e778-e786. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-0597
5. Calvert SL, Appelbaum M, Dodge KA, et al. The American Psychological Association Task Force assessment of violent video games: Science in the service of public interest. Am Psychol. 2017;72(2):126-143. doi:10.1037/a0040413
6. Ganson KT, Testa A, Rodgers RF, Jackson DB, Nagata JM. Muscle-Building Exercise and Weapon Carrying and Physical Fighting Among U.S. Adolescent Boys. J Interpers Violence. 2023;38(3-4):2566-2584. doi:10.1177/08862605221101192
7. Lowry R, Parker E, Ratto JD, Krause K, Hertz MF. Associations Between Exposure to School Violence and Weapon Carrying at School. Am J Prev Med. 2023;65(3):347-355. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2023.03.007
Bullying
Bullying is intentional infliction of psychological or physical damage on less powerful children. Bullying can take several forms, including
Persistent teasing
Threats
Intimidation
Harassment
Violent assaults
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is the use of e-mail, texting, social media, and other digital communication tools to convey threats and/or spread hurtful information to purposely embarrass or communicate false or hostile information about another child. "Sexting," which is the act of sharing sexually charged messages or photographs (usually via cell phone), can become a form of cyberbullying if the messages or photographs are purposefully shared with other people to embarrass or harm the child who sent or appeared in the message or photograph.
Up to one-fourth of children may be involved in bullying as bullies, targets, or both (1, 2). Social stresses (eg, low family income, low parental education levels) are risk factors for bullying.
Bullies act to inflate their sense of self-worth. Bullies often report that bullying creates feelings of power and control.
Both bullies and their targets are at risk of poor outcomes (3). Targets of bullying often tell no one because of feelings of helplessness and shame and fear of retaliation. Targets are at risk of physical injury, poor self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and school absence. Children who are targets may reach a breaking point, at which time they strike back with potentially dangerous or catastrophic results. Many targets of bullying become bullies themselves.
Bullies are more likely to become incarcerated in later life; they are less likely to remain in school, be employed, or have stable relationships as adults.
Bullying references
1. PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. Rates of Incidence. 2025. Accessed April 23, 2025.
2. Yoon D, Shipe SL, Park J, Yoon M. Bullying patterns and their associations with child maltreatment and adolescent psychosocial problems. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2021;129:106178. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106178
3. Salmivalli C, Laninga-Wijnen L, Malamut ST, Garandeau CF. Bullying Prevention in Adolescence: Solutions and New Challenges from the Past Decade. J Res Adolesc. 2021;31(4):1023-1046. doi:10.1111/jora.12688
Gang Involvement
Participation in gangs has been linked to violent behavior. Youth gangs tend to be self-formed associations of adolescents and young adults (peak at age 14) (1).
Gangs usually adopt a name and identifying symbols, such as a particular style of clothing, the use of certain hand signs, tattoos, or graffiti. Some gangs require prospective members to perform acts of violence before membership is granted (2).
Increasing youth gang violence has been blamed at least in part on gang involvement in illicit drug distribution and illicit drug use. Use of firearms is a frequent feature of gang violence.
Gang involvement references
1. Pyrooz DC, Sweeten G. Gang membership between ages 5 and 17 years in the United States. J Adolesc Health. 2015;56(4):414-419. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.11.018
2. Leverso J, O'Neill K. YOUTH GANGS AND VICTIMIZATION: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACT OF GANG DYNAMICS ON EXPERIENCES OF VICTIMIZATION. Deviant Behav. 2022;43(9):1103-1119. doi:10.1080/01639625.2021.1963644
Prevention of Violent Behavior in Children and Adolescents
Violence prevention should begin in early childhood. Strategies include the following:
Using violence-free discipline in young children
Limiting access to weapons and exposure to violence through media and video games
Creating and maintaining a safe school environment for school-age children
Encouraging victims to discuss problems with parents, school authorities, and their doctor
Teaching older children and adolescents strategies for avoiding high-risk situations (eg, places or settings where others have weapons or are using alcohol or illicit drugs) and for reacting to or defusing tense situations
Promoting safe, stable, and nurturing relationships
