A Call for Responsibility After Tragedy In Belgrade, Serbia: The Impact of Violent Media on Our Children

Addendum — September 2026

I wrote this article in May 2023, shortly after the terrible school shooting in Belgrade. At the time, I was angry, heartbroken and looking for answers.

More than three years later, I decided not to rewrite the article. It represents what I was thinking and feeling at the time, and I think it should remain that way.

But if I were writing it today, I would probably look at the issue differently.

I still think we need to have a serious conversation about the amount of violence children are exposed to in video games, television and online. But I don't think we should pretend that something as terrible as this can be explained by one thing.

The problem is much more complicated.

We need to look at the accumulation of things children are dealing with today—their home lives, school, bullying, social media, violent entertainment, mental health, isolation and the enormous amount of time they spend online.

I also think we should be willing to ask questions about how we treat children who are having behavioral problems. Are we sometimes too quick to medicate children instead of asking why they are struggling? And when it comes to young boys in particular, are we sometimes trying to medicate normal energy, movement and behavior because we expect them to sit still for too much of their childhood?

I don't pretend to have the answer to that question. In fact, I think it deserves an article of its own, and I plan to look more closely at what the research actually says.

That's probably the biggest difference between how I look at this today and how I looked at it in 2023.

There isn't one simple answer. It's an accumulation of things, and understanding how those things interact is where I think we need to look next.

Our responsibility as parents, teachers, creators and adults is to keep asking difficult questions about the kind of childhood we are creating for our children.

I'm leaving the original article below exactly as I wrote it. It represents where I was then. This is where I am today.

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In the wake of the tragic school shooting in the capital city of Belgrade, Serbia, which left eight children and a security guard dead and several others seriously injured, discussions have turned towards the potential impact of media and technology on children's behavior and attitudes. While some point to the role of social media platforms like TikTok or television, I will be highlighting the danger of violent video games presented as children's entertainment. As an American-Serbian and as the president of Storybooksong and Idemo Kids, two children's content companies, I believe that violent video games are a significant problem and may contribute to desensitizing children to violence.

One classic example that demonstrates the potential impact of violent media on children is the "Bobo doll experiment" conducted by psychologist Albert Bandura in the 1960s. In this study, children who observed adults behaving aggressively towards an inflatable toy were more likely to imitate the aggressive actions themselves. While the experiment focused on observing aggressive behavior rather than engaging in it through video games, it does suggest that repeated exposure to violent media may have a similar effect on children.

The impact of violent video games on children's behavior and attitudes has been a subject of debate for many years. Research has shown that exposure to violent video games can lead to increases in aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior, as well as decreases in prosocial behavior and empathy (Anderson et al., 2010). These findings were consistent across Eastern and Western countries. This study provides strong evidence that violent video games can influence children's behavior and attitudes negatively.

Nowadays, many of the most popular YouTube channels mix violence with comedy, creating content where YouTuber gamers laugh and joke as they kill virtual characters in games using guns, cars, and bombs. This combination of violence and humor is particularly popular among kids, which raises concerns about the long-term effects of such exposure.

Violent video games are often more graphic and realistic than any movie, and the interactive nature of these games further intensifies their impact. It is worth noting that some video game technology has its roots in military training simulations, designed to prepare soldiers for combat situations. It is crucial to consider the potential consequences of children spending hours watching others play these violent games while simultaneously being entertained by the humor and camaraderie that these YouTubers provide.

As a children's content creator, I understandably face challenges in promoting and profiting from my animated videos due to higher standards for child-appropriate content. Yet, gamers whose audience is predominantly children face fewer obstacles in promoting and profiting from their violent and potentially harmful videos. It is time to pay more attention to the impact of violent media on children's development and well-being, and for greater responsibility to be taken by game developers and social media platforms in ensuring that children are not exposed to harmful content.

As we mourn the victims of the tragedy in Serbia, we must come together to address the root causes of such violent incidents. It is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of children and youth in all aspects of society, including access to mental health support, conflict resolution, and social-emotional learning in schools. It is equally important to address the influence of media and technology on young people, particularly the impact of violent video games and the way they are presented on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. YouTube has already made many efforts to protect children. I have no doubt they will make more adjustments in light of these new developments. By working together to promote safety, well-being, and resilience for all children and youth, we can help create a brighter and more hopeful future for everyone.