Thiruvananthapuram: Films and television serials are exerting a detrimental influence on children, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Monday at the Assembly. Citing a film in which children are addressed as ‘eda mone’, he claimed that a police report indicated some children who watched the movie and went to gang leaders.

The Chief Minister was responding to an adjournment motion discussion in the Kerala Assembly on the rise in violent incidents following the murder of Class 10 student Shahbaz.

"Matters concerning children must be examined seriously. There is a growing tendency to violence among children. Addressing this issue requires in-depth analysis rather than superficial conclusions. This is not a localised issue but has national and international dimensions. The police have taken action on criminal activities, but many aspects lie beyond routine policing. This issue must not be viewed in isolation but as a multifaceted problem. Today's discussion should not mark its conclusion, as it is an extremely serious matter demanding comprehensive measures reflecting public sentiment," Vijayan said.

The government is handling legal proceedings effectively, he claimed. "This is not merely a law and order issue, but a profound social concern. It must not be reduced to personal or political dimensions. The rising aggression among children is a global phenomenon. In 1999, a student at Columbine High School in Colorado, USA, killed 12 classmates and a teacher, leaving 21 others injured. Since then, discussions on such violence and its prevention have continued globally. While such incidents in other parts of the world do not justify their occurrence in Kerala, the state cannot isolate itself from global realities. However, Kerala's unique culture and living conditions should shape its response," the Chief Minister said.

He attributed children's growing unrest to the pressures of modern capitalism, competitive lifestyles and the commodification of society under globalisation. "Intense competition is pushing children towards the mindset that they can only succeed by defeating others, seeing peers as adversaries. Family circumstances, childhood loneliness, lack of connection with nature and peers, and the absence of people to share joy and sorrow at home exacerbate this situation. Parental guidance and digital addiction awareness are vital aspects of addressing the issue. When parents try to curb children's digital addiction, they risk being seen as enemies," he observed.

Vijayan criticised the glorification of violence in films and serials, pointing out a police report that linked children's association with gang leaders to the influence of such content. "The celebration of violence and the hero-worship of characters who dominate others must be scrutinised. Changes in teacher-student relationships, parent-child dynamics, and the desire for pleasure at any cost are all contributing factors," he added.