When Children Turn into Offenders: A Warning Bell for Society

By Assistant Professor Dr. Ziyad Abdulwahhab
College of Law – University of Mosul

What we heard yesterday about two children—one aged 10 and the other 12—assaulting a girl who had not yet reached the age of three and then killing her, is not news that can pass unnoticed. Beyond the horror and brutality of the crime, it carries serious implications and an alarming message to society: that there are hidden dangers creeping into our children without us noticing or monitoring them sufficiently, until they lead to such tragic outcomes.

The causes of such crimes cannot be reduced to a single factor; rather, several factors may intersect, the most prominent of which are:

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First: Exposure to Violence or Neglect

A child who grows up in an environment characterized by violence, harshness, or neglect may become accustomed to these behaviors and begin to view them as normal, thereby increasing the likelihood of imitating or practicing them.

Second: Imitation and Social Learning

A child may imitate a behavior observed among peers, in the media, or online, without realizing its danger or consequences, especially if it is presented in a seemingly ordinary or exciting manner.

Third: Weak Supervision and Guidance

The absence of family or school follow-up may allow aggressive behaviors to develop without correction or containment. Some children may also suffer from psychological or behavioral disorders that affect their ability to control their emotions or empathize with others, which calls for early intervention by specialists.

Fourth: Imitation of Violent Scenes

When children are repeatedly exposed to scenes of violence in films, video games, or video clips, violence may become familiar behavior to them, especially if it is displayed without showing its real consequences. Children also naturally tend to imitate influential figures and content creators, and may mimic aggressive behaviors without realizing the harm they may cause.

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This incident represents a real wake-up call for every family. The responsibility of protecting children is not limited to providing for their material needs; it also includes monitoring what they watch on phones and electronic devices, knowing who they befriend, what they talk about, how they think, and how they deal with different situations.

It is also necessary to educate children about the dangers of wrong behaviors, promote values of compassion, respect, and responsibility, while limiting their exposure to violent content or applications that may promote deviant ideas and behaviors under the guise of entertainment or competition.

Today’s children are influenced by social media and modern technologies more than ever before. Therefore, family awareness and continuous monitoring are no longer an option—they have become a necessity to protect our children and preserve the safety of society.