The future of a society lies in its youth. If the youth are empowered, aware, and responsible, then no nation can be stopped from achieving progress and prosperity. However, if this same energy is misguided, the youth can also become a challenge for the society and the nation. Unfortunately, today we are living in a time where, despite unprecedented advancements in science and technology, human values, sensitivity, and ethics are gradually weakening. The most direct and concerning effect of this is the growing violent tendencies among the youth.

In recent years, several incidents have shaken us to the core. Sometimes a knife is found in a school tiffin box, sometimes a minor argument leads to a fatal attack, and at times, even teachers are brutally murdered. The recent incident of a young teacher's murder in Haryana has left society in deep contemplation. These incidents are not just crime news; they are a sign that our youth are at a dangerous crossroads.
Today's youth are surrounded by a digital world. Smartphones and the internet have become an integral part of their daily lives. Online games, which present violence and aggression as thrilling and entertaining, have a profound impact on the psychology of young people. A major reason for the increasing violence among the youth is the easy availability of violent and obscene content on digital platforms and gaming apps. The government has taken steps in this direction from time to time. Several mobile games and apps that promoted excessive violence, intoxication, or antisocial activities have been banned. Recently, some online games were banned on the grounds that they were adversely affecting the mental health of children and adolescents and contained content that incited suicidal tendencies.
However, a ban alone is not a permanent solution. The government needs to formulate strict guidelines and an effective monitoring system for digital platforms to ensure that only safe and positive content is available to the youth. In addition to strengthening the cyber regulatory framework, attention must also be paid to digital literacy, so that both parents and children can understand what content is safe and what is harmful. Sometimes, children and adolescents become so attached to the characters in these games that they start behaving in the same way in real life. When virtual violence becomes a habit, sensitivity and compassion slowly begin to fade. Furthermore, the uncontrolled availability of obscene and violent content on the internet has made the situation even more serious. It would not be wrong to say that while the digital age has opened up a world of knowledge and opportunities, it has also made the path to violence and moral decay easier.
A significant reason for the violent behaviour of youth is the lack of a proper family environment. In today's fast-paced life, parents are unable to give enough time to their children. In the hustle of a busy work life and the pursuit of material comforts, children's emotional needs are left behind. When children are emotionally distant from their parents, they are deprived of a guide who can help them distinguish right from wrong. Earlier, the family environment used to teach children ethics, patience, and tolerance. In joint family systems, children learned life values from their grandparents and elders. But now, as families are becoming smaller and busier, children, grappling with their loneliness and insecurity, gravitate towards bad company or wrong paths. This loneliness often motivates them to resort to violence.
Today's society has made success the ultimate benchmark. Every parent wants their child to be at the forefront in school, college, job, or business. This competitive race is putting unnatural pressure on the youth. As a result, young people have become impatient. They want immediate results, they start adopting shortcuts, and they are filled with disappointment when they fail. This frustration gradually takes the form of aggression and violent tendencies. This situation forces us to think about whether we only want to make our children successful, or if we also want to make them sensitive and responsible human beings.
It would be wrong to assume that this problem can be solved by law and order alone. The police and courts can stop crime, but the roots of crime grow where family, society, and education become weak. Therefore, it is essential that every section of society comes together to face this challenge. Parents should communicate with their children, be their friends, and monitor their online behaviour. Children must be taught that everything in the digital world cannot be blindly trusted. Educational institutions also have a great responsibility. Schools and colleges should not only be centres of study but should also focus on moral education, life skills, and mental health. Students should be engaged in creative activities like sports, art, and literature so that their energy is channelled in a positive direction.
A major reason for the increasing violence among youth is the neglect of mental health. In society, depression, anxiety, or stress are still considered a weakness. The truth is that mental imbalance is often the root cause of violent tendencies. Young people must be assured that seeking help for a mental problem is not a sign of weakness but an act of courage. Counselling services should be available in schools and universities so that youth can express their stress and frustration and get proper guidance. If their psychological problems are understood and addressed in time, violent incidents can be largely prevented.
The media and entertainment world also deeply influence the thinking of youth. When violence is repeatedly glorified in movies and TV shows, it sends the message that power and aggression are the only solutions in life. This trend is dangerous. The media should keep social responsibility in mind while presenting entertainment and news. Content that promotes sensitivity, compassion, and ethics in society should be encouraged. It is true that the youth are full of energy and enthusiasm. If this energy is given a positive direction, the same youth can become the greatest strength of society and the nation. The talent of our youth is unique in every field—science, technology, sports, art, and literature. The need is for us to provide them with the right opportunities and the right environment.
The increasing violence among the youth is not just an issue of crime; it is a result of the weakness of our social, family, and cultural structure. This is the time when we must collectively introspect. Parents, teachers, society, the media, and the government—all must take on this responsibility together. We have to make our children not just successful but also good human beings. We must teach them compassion, patience, and responsibility. We must remember that youth power is the future of our country. If this power is given a positive direction, it will bring us a new identity on the world stage. But if it is left unchecked, this same power will push society towards violence and disorder. The need of the hour is to channel the hidden energy within our youth and assure them that true strength lies not in violence but in sensitivity and humanity. Only then can we build a safe, strong, and bright future

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