Young people call for an end to childhood verbal abuse in landmark essay in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health
1 May 2026
They warn harmful adult language is an ignored public health issue affecting millions Young people are calling for urgent political and public health action to end childhood verbal abuse by adults. Published this week in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, a first-of-its-kind essay, written by young people on the “harm that leaves no bruises”, combines lived experience and scientific evidence to highlight an often-overlooked form of harm. The essay describes how harsh language from adults – including blaming, shaming, humiliating, and