The Critical Period: Understanding Adolescence and the Age of Responsibility

The article explores the debate around the age of criminal responsibility in Australia and discusses the significant cognitive, social, and emotional development that occurs during adolescence. It highlights the varying rates of brain maturation and the impact of puberty hormones on decision-making abilities and moral reasoning in adolescents aged 10 to 14.

The age a child can be arrested, charged, and jailed in Australia is back in the spotlight. Last year, the Northern Territory raised the age of criminal responsibility from ten to 12 but now plans to revert it back to ten. Victoria also changed its position from 14 to 12.

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child recommends a minimum age of 14 for criminal responsibility, based on research showing that adolescents are still developing critical cognitive and emotional skills. Adolescence is marked by important brain development, with puberty hormones playing a significant role in shaping decision-making and moral reasoning.

Early adolescence is crucial, as it is the time when children between ten and 14 years old become more sensitive to emotional rewards and threats, impacting their decisions. Given these developmental changes, the article argues that the age of criminal responsibility should reflect the scientific understanding of adolescent brain development.

(With inputs from agencies.)