A growing body of evidence has prompted leading child development and neuroscience experts to urgently warn lawmakers that parental shouting and verbal abuse can alter a child’s developing brain, with potentially lifelong mental health consequences. Experts delivered this message in a briefing to UK MPs, sparking renewed calls for policy action and broader public awareness of verbal maltreatment, which is now being recognized as a significant—and prevalent—form of child abuse.
For Thai parents, educators, and society at large, this research highlights the importance of not only physical but also emotional safety for a child’s growth. Countries like Thailand, where respect for elders and hierarchical family dynamics are deeply ingrained, must pay special attention to the way words impact young minds. In families, temples, and schools, language used by adults can significantly shape a child’s self-worth, ability to form relationships, and future resilience.
The Guardian’s report summarizes new findings presented by leading UK experts in child neuroscience, notably a clinical psychologist and professor at University College London, who described how functional MRI scans reveal biological changes in children’s brains subjected to sustained verbal abuse—including shouting, demeaning, or humiliating language. According to these studies, repeated hostile verbal interactions alter both the “threat” and “reward” circuits in the developing brain, skewing how children perceive the world. The impact is stark: children become more likely to view their environment as threatening, misinterpret benign social cues as hostile, and may either withdraw socially or lash out defensively. Over time, these changes can manifest as chronic anxiety, depression, and an impaired ability to form healthy relationships.
This reinforces data from the World Health Organization, which recognizes emotional and verbal abuse as core forms of child maltreatment globally. A 2023 UK survey cited by experts found that 41% of children had experienced verbal aggression from adults at least some of the time—a figure likely mirrored, if not exceeded, in other cultural contexts.
The severity of verbal abuse has historically been underestimated, overshadowed by more visible physical or sexual abuse, but this new research forcefully argues that hostile language can have equally serious effects. One expert from King’s College London stated: “The sticks and stones rhyme is wrong. Words can harm a child’s wellbeing and development and leave lifelong psychological scars.” Another neuroscientist urged: “Harsh words can actively weaken the brain’s foundation during development. Children need kind, supportive communication from adults. It’s vital for building their identity and emotional resilience.” (The Guardian, Eastern Eye, Independent)
Research supports that repeated exposure to parental shouting not only causes emotional distress but also triggers stress pathways in the brain. Neuroimaging reviewed in studies such as “Emotional Abuse and Neglect: Time to Focus on Prevention and Mental Health Consequences” in the journal Nature Reviews Psychology shows that these stress responses disrupt neural circuits responsible for self-esteem and adaptive social behavior (PMC – PubMed Central).
Thai society, grappling with rising youth mental health concerns and increasing awareness of the impacts of bullying and pressure in educational settings, faces both a challenge and an opportunity. While strict discipline and raised voices have been considered by some as necessary for effective parenting or teaching, the latest neuroscience underscores the risk that such practices may do more harm than good—creating long-term patterns of fear, anxiety, and insecurity.
Significantly, experts emphasize the preventable nature of verbal abuse. Unlike some forms of risk that are difficult to control, the use of words and tone is within the power of every adult. Encouraging, positive communication can inspire children to overcome setbacks and develop into healthy, confident adults, whereas harsh words can “twist a young person’s understanding of who they are and their role in the world,” warned a professor of child psychiatry.
The broader cultural implications extend beyond the home. Verbal discipline is common in Thai schools and even in religious education. Recognizing the science—the brain’s literal wiring in response to verbal aggression—educators and policy makers in Thailand should take note. Preventive mental health strategies, teacher training programs, and family counseling must integrate emotional safety as a pillar alongside physical protection.
Internationally, calls are mounting for official recognition of verbal abuse in legal and policy frameworks. In the UK, the “Words Matter” campaign is bringing visibility to the issue. Similar Thai campaigns, such as those led by the Department of Mental Health or local child welfare NGOs, can amplify this message and adapt successful interventions from abroad.
Looking ahead, greater access to mental health education for parents and teachers, nationwide anti-bullying efforts with a focus on communication, and inclusion of emotional wellbeing in the school curriculum can be powerful steps. Community-based resources—such as temple youth programs and public health seminars—should promote “สื่อสารอย่างมีสติ” (mindful communication) as a core value.
In conclusion, as new research transforms our understanding of how words can shape the architecture of the brain, it is time for Thai society to prioritize kind, respectful, and mindful language in all settings where children grow and learn. Parents, teachers, and caregivers hold immense power: to build up—or to break down—the next generation. The latest science makes clear that every word counts.
For families seeking support, the Thai Department of Mental Health (กรมสุขภาพจิต) offers counseling resources and family communication workshops. Schools are encouraged to provide teacher training in positive discipline strategies and to open conversations with students about emotional safety.
For more information, see: The Guardian, Eastern Eye, Independent, Be Kind Coaching.