Experts Warn of Long-Term Harm to Children's Brains and Mental Health

Experts will inform members of Parliament on Monday that parental shouting can negatively impact children's brain development and increase the likelihood of mental health issues. They will emphasize that children subjected to verbal abuse from adults, including parents, teachers, and activity leaders, may struggle with social interactions and experiencing pleasure.

The meeting, organized by the charity Words Matter, will focus on verbal abuse as the most common form of child maltreatment. Experts will advocate for greater awareness and attention to verbal abuse, highlighting its preventability as a cause of mental health problems. They will emphasize that harsh language can hinder brain development, and that children require supportive communication from adults to build their identity and emotional resilience.

Research indicates that a significant portion of children in the UK experience verbal abuse, with a considerable number exposed to it on a weekly basis. The long-term consequences of verbal abuse, such as blaming, insulting, scolding, criticizing, or threatening children, can include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, sleep difficulties, substance misuse, self-harm, and suicide.

Experts will present evidence demonstrating how emotional harm, including verbal abuse, alters brain development, impacting how young people perceive themselves and navigate life's challenges. They will stress the importance of educating parents and caregivers about the lasting effects of their words, including their potential to either nurture or harm the next generation.

Leading experts will convene at the House of Commons on Monday to urge for immediate national action to address childhood verbal abuse. Words Matter is urging the government to prioritize verbal abuse prevention within its mental health and wellbeing strategy for children. The charity emphasizes that tackling verbal abuse must be a core component of the national mental health strategy, requiring urgent recognition, systematic monitoring, and proactive prevention efforts.