Child rights expert: both victim and aggressor can be victims of violence

A video showing a 12-year-old girl assaulting another minor in Marijampolė’s Poetry Park has sparked public concern after circulating on social media. Prosecutors have launched an investigation into the disturbance of public order, LRT reports.

The incident, discussed on the LRT television programme Dienos tema, involved dozens of blows delivered to the victim, while onlookers laughed, filmed, and later shared the footage online. The injured child sought medical attention.

Ilma Skuodienė, director of the Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service, and Jurgita Smiltė Jasiulionė, a psychologist at the Child Helpline, weighed in on the case. Jasiulionė noted that adolescents often lack the emotional regulation and foresight to handle conflicts appropriately, leading to extreme reactions. She added that such behaviour can stem from a desire for power, attention, or acceptance within a peer group.

Skuodienė highlighted that social media platforms are officially restricted for users under 13 in Lithuania, raising questions about how children this young are accessing them. She emphasised that conflicts escalating online can have serious consequences for minors.

Jasiulionė stressed that protecting children from violence—both online and offline—must remain a national priority. She cited international studies showing Lithuania leads in cyberbullying and online harassment compared to many Western countries. She called for concrete measures to enhance child safety, noting that social media can expose young users to harmful content and algorithms that may normalise aggressive behaviour.

When asked if violence could be perceived as a normal conflict-resolution method, Jasiulionė confirmed that some adolescents, influenced by online environments, may indeed view aggression as acceptable.