Teenager Kills

Lost Innocence

Cases in which teenagers or even children become offenders are especially disturbing. These acts deeply shake the social image of "innocent childhood". Factors such as bullying, domestic violence, mental disorders or the influence of media that glorify violence often play a role, yet there is rarely a simple explanation.

A well-known phenomenon is the "rampage" at schools (school shootings), such as the massacre at Columbine High School. Here the perpetrators often act out of a feeling of exclusion and revenge. Planned murder series occur as well.

Cases such as that of Mary Bell, who killed two boys as a child, or the duo Leopold and Loeb, who wanted to commit the "perfect murder", show the dark depths that can open up even at a young age.