Yes on the violas.

For an answer to your first question you'll have to give us more info on the conditions you are growing the seedlings in. What kind of planting medium, what kind of light, temperature, moisture, etc.

I have them in an upstairs bedroom where it is house temp ( I put it under the kitchen light for the pic)(70 degrees) I used potting soil in those little pots
they grow like this then fall over like the pic under it and shrivel up and die
I have morning glories, nemophilla (penny black), asylum, and a few others in one of those domed trays of which the columbine are doing the same thing.... the petunias& lavendar seem to be doing alright
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They are extremely leggy which is probably from being too warm and not receiving enough light. Do you have them in a window, and if so, does it have a south or southwest exposure? I would try re-potting them and covering the stems almost up to the first leaves. You would be best off to get them under some flourescent lights (very close, almost touching) but if you can't do that they should definitely be in a southern window and turned daily so that they don't bend toward the light for a long period of time. Worst case scenario you may need to start over under better growing conditions.

Damping off caused by fungus.
Have you ever considered using the Winter Sowing method? Please check out the link below. There is no problem of damping off whatsoever. It's really fun too. There is an enthusiastic group of gardeners who swear by it:

Here is a link that might be useful: Winter Sowing outdoors the easy way.

Thank you for your responses... pitimpinia.... I have tried winter sowing and loved it!!! In fact I have some winter sowing going right now but I thought I would try some seeds indoors this year since my daughters east facing room is empty as she is at school. ... I put out anything that hasn't yet germinated outside this morning and I think I will keep to that method.... the others that have sprouted I'll just cross my fingers and sow more for outside today

Ahh, east is no good.