Do violent movies like Darndhar, Beast and Romeo desensitize the youth? Psychiatrists raise red flags

Dr. Amit Sen, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Amit Sen, at Children’s First, Delhi, is no stranger to dealing with juvenile delinquency cases. He adds: “There has been a significant increase in youth crime due to the normalization of violence in content, whether it’s in movies, OTT or games, all of which celebrate murder. None of these formats discuss instant justice, hyper-violent storytelling, or the reckoning of conflict or the consequences of character behavior.”

What happens in the adolescent brain when it is exposed to violent images on the screen?

Studies have shown that the frontal cortex of the brain, which is responsible for stress control, risk assessment and long-term planning, is not fully developed until the mid-20s. “Even at age 18, this region is still improving its function. In contrast, the amygdala, the brain’s emotional and threat-processing center, fires at full capacity much earlier. While an 18-year-old may have the intellectual capacity of an adult, their emotional regulation and executive functioning are often operational abilities. (rational reasoning) matures at age 16, but psychosocial maturity (self-control) lags behind puberty. leaving a gap,” says Dr. Ajinkya.

This neurodevelopmental gap is why teens and young adults are notoriously susceptible to peer influence, being emotional and neurotic.

Dr. Sen explains how after 13, brain pruning begins, a process that follows the “use it or lose it” principle, where commonly used neural pathways are strengthened, and rarely used ones are removed. “So, these years are very important for self-regulation. It is common for teenagers to feel upset with rejections, failures, peer comparisons and academic pressures. If they channel it, it leads to mental health problems such as anxiety, self-loathing, even if they turn this anger outward, violence on the football field, violence on the football field.” says

But if the way to manage and eliminate it is also explained at the same time and the young person can imitate the correct adult behavior, then there is a balance. “By consistently demonstrating positive behaviors – such as empathy, resilience, responsibility and effective communication – adults can help build young people’s social skills and values,” she adds.

What about the disturbing effects of violent films on the minds of young people?

The primary risk is not that a Violent movie An ordinary 18-year-old will turn into a killer overnight. “This is a reductive view. The danger is more complex. The main concern is emotional numbing and the ‘world of love syndrome’. It is the normalization of aggression and indifference to suffering. Repeated viewing of violent films can create what a developing brain considers acceptable, normal, or even interesting. When the world of cinema routinely resolves conflicts with brute force, it may destroy a young person’s normal response to aggression and violence.” Yossi,” says Dr. Ajinkya.

The 2023 Lancet Regional Health-America Journal editorial noted how research consistently linked exposure to violent media to anger, aggressive thoughts, and violent behavior. In addition, it is important to distinguish between a normal 18-year-old and a vulnerable one. “For an 18-year-old, whose identity and social script are still being formed, these stories can be woven into their understanding of power, conflict, and masculinity. For a young man with a stable home environment, strong social support, and good critical thinking skills, a violent film is processed mentally, while there is no short-term narrative impact. Struggling with mental health issues, childhood trauma, or social isolation; it’s the same. The content can act as a mechanism for coping with impurity and as a catalyst for violent content.”

A 2008 study found that even films rated ‘A’ for their violent content were seen by millions of 10- to 14-year-olds, with popular titles reaching almost half that age group. “By the time these young boys turn 18, their cumulative exposure to screen violence is high, desensitized by years of exposure. This basic normalization makes it difficult for them to recognize the potential effects of increasingly graphic content as they age,” says Dr. Ajinkya. Dr. Ajinkya says.

So, how can we better guide young people?

Instead of advocating for censorship, which Dr. Ajinkya feels is both impractical and contrary to the autonomy of legal adults, the focus should be on media literacy and mindful consumption. “We need to equip teens and young adults with the tools to understand what they’re seeing – to understand the director’s intentions, the difference between real and sensational violence, and the commercial motivations behind high-violence content. Parents and teachers need to continue this conversation well into adolescence, knowing that the need for guidance at the end of age 8 is not negligible.”

Dr. Sen says it’s important to talk about violence and what happens before and after it. “You have to argue the opposite. Boys under the age of 18 are involved in crime, and are subject to consent under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses) Act. In order to prevent teenagers from committing crimes, we need to develop their critical awareness and help them reframe their responses to how to learn harder than visual media.”