Heavy metal - why it's bad for kids

A month or so ago a blog was published online making the case that heavy metal is good for kids. This is apparently because listening to it allows them to burn energy, express themselves, and grow, opening their minds to a more peaceful way of being. I will be making the case here that it does none of that, and that it instead might make them mentally unstable.

The author of the piece begins with the idea that listening/dancing to heavy metal provides children with a way to release pent up energy, and that this allows them to cathartically self-regulate their emotions. The edginess of the music is supposed to act as an outlet for their trouble-making tendencies. He states that “I'd very much prefer if my kid were to be listening to heavy metal rather than picking on other kids on the playground”

Unfortunately, it is actually more likely that a child who vents in this way will pick on other kids. Recent psychological studies have found that this kind of emotional catharsis actually has detrimentalside-effects. The act of venting actually serves to keep angry thoughts and emotions alive. It is essentially a form of anger practice, that only serves to increase reactivity. The researchers found that using catharsis as a regulatory technique increased the likelihood of future bouts of aggression, even towards innocent bystanders.

This is one of many facts that go against the author’s notion that  "music is just music, and the type of music a kid listens to is not going to predetermine the kind of person your child will grow up to be.”

Music often plays a very real role in the formation of a child’s mind, and dark and aggressive music (like heavy metal) can have a direct influence on the patterns of thought and emotion a child experiences. Researchers from Iowa State University conducted a study that measured participants feelings of hostility after sessions spent listening to both violent and nonviolent music. Aggressive musical lyrics were found to “increase aggressive thoughts and feelings, which might perpetuate aggressive behavior and have long-term effects, such as influencing listeners' perceptions of society and contributing to the development of aggressive personalities”

Given these facts, it is worth reflecting on the lyrical content of most metal songs (which the author admits regularly includes the subjects of death, satan, and cannibalism). The excuse metal musicians often give for the extreme and violent nature of their art is that the songs are reflective of a fantasy world, and that the violent lyrics are not meant to be taken in any literal sense. Most adults appreciate this fact, and can enjoy the music without acting  it out. However it is likely that young people and children will be more suggestible and literal in their interpretations.

Most children aren’t able to distinguish fact from fiction up until the age of 5. And even then the part of the brain associated with rational thinking doesn’t develop until around age 25. Adolescents and teenagers are probably amongst the most vulnerable to the negative influence of heavy metal. The angst ridden lyrics are likely to hold quite a strong appeal to the hormonal and alienated.  Given that, it should come as no surprise that repetitive listening to heavy metal has been associated with a higher risk for depression and suicide in teenagers. 

Altogether, allowing your child to listen to heavy metal is synonymous with pouring the influences of death and chaos and anger onto their unformed brains, leading to a whole slew of negative effects. Metal is no measure of health, and it can drive you mad.


Photo by Ryan Vaarsi

Title rationale - "Heavy metal" (61) was more responsive than other variations, metal music  (9)  etc. And the word "bad" brought up better results (84) than  its variations, terrible(6) poisonous(2), etc.