I think this trend, and yes it is a trend either created by media or reported by media but it does exist, is a result of ignorance and a compounding effect of each generations seeming need to shield their children from the ramifications of the child's actions. At the core of the behavior there seems to be a lack of regard for any repercussions that may befall them as a result of their actions.
I don't think it is entitlement mentality but something more of a lack of thought process as to what could happen to them if they carried out such actions and what the equal and opposite reactions could be. Couple that with inadequate education and thought processes, mix in a fair amount of boredom and you have volatile combination.
An example it the case where young men were targeting elderly. A 25 year old male can generate enough force to break bone, lacerated skin, cause concussions, cause a brain hemorrhage, or neck or spinal trauma. Also contributing to the risk is the fall the victim takes when "knocked out". As seen with the man in NYC who was knocked out who died when his head fell onto/between a metal fence. (I have treated two patients that were killed in fights due to secondary trauma to the head, one guy had his head split open on a street curb and another fellow died in a fight when he fell an hit his head on a trailer hitch on a pickup). That risk is exponentially compounded when the victim is elderly as muscle mass deteriorates and bones become calcified and fragile with age. These attacks on elderly are most defiantly assaults and depending on age of victims murder attempts.
