That would definitely apply to some of my characters in my teen years! lol
I was very edgy and would write a lot of depressing, violent stuff for the kicks and the feelz. Some of it was fine. Some of it I regret.
Nowadays I write a lot about overcoming dire circumstances and finding hope even when darkness is closing in.
(This generally requires that I include dire circumstances and dark situations.)
Adult me cares
way more about what the characters struggle with, stand for, and represent... so I design their trials to maximize their arc's impact on the theme of the story rather than just mindlessly tormenting for the shock value. Guess that's just part of growing up as an author.
