Shouting at children can reshape their brain development, leading to mental health issues and difficulties in forming friendships, MPs were told during a meeting on Monday. Experts in child development and mental health highlighted that verbal abuse by parents and caregivers can leave lasting scars, making children see the world as hostile and robbing them of joy.
Prof. Eamon McCrory, a renowned clinical psychologist, explained that the words of adults are deeply internalized by children and can alter their sense of self, impacting their confidence and ability to navigate life. Research, including brain scans, shows that exposure to verbal abuse alters the brain’s structure, particularly the areas that process threats and rewards. These changes can make the world seem more dangerous, leading to anxiety, withdrawal, or aggression in children.
Studies show that verbal abuse is alarmingly common, with 41% of children in the UK experiencing it regularly, often from parents, teachers, or caregivers. The World Health Organization recognizes emotional abuse, including verbal attacks, as a form of child maltreatment that contributes to violence against children.
Experts urge policymakers to address verbal abuse as a key factor in the mental health crisis. Prof. Peter Fonagy emphasized that verbal abuse is preventable and that kinder communication from adults is essential for children’s emotional development. The meeting aims to bring attention to verbal abuse and ensure it receives the same focus as other forms of maltreatment.
- Karnataka HC Orders Ban on Proton Mail Over Encrypted Abuse Allegations
- Priest Plots Murder of Journalist Over Abuse Exposure, Three Held
#mentalhealth #verbalabuse #childdevelopment #parenting