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Ismail Munir

Dive into the link between video games and violence, separating fact from fiction. Explore gaming's impact on mental health and well-being. Join Meri Sehat for informed discussions on this topic

Videogames And Violence: What Does Science Say?

Madeeha Syed

This article or video has been vetted and verified by Meri Sehat’s specialists. It contains citations and research from validated sources.

How Does Familial Conflict Or Domestic Violence Affect Children?

Overview

Around 28 percent of women have experienced some sort of domestic violence in Pakistan. These figures are of reported cases only. The vast majority of the cases go unreported and the chain of domestic violence never breaks.

The emotional effects of domestic violence and abuse on children can be devastating. Children in homes where one parent is abused may feel fearful and anxious. They may always be on guard, wondering when the next violent event will happen. This can cause them to react in different ways, depending on their age: 
&nbsp;

different ways

Children In Preschool: Young children who witness intimate-partner violence may start doing things they used to do when they were younger, such as bed-wetting, thumb-sucking, increased crying, and whining. They may also develop difficulty falling or staying asleep; show signs of terror, such as stuttering or hiding, and show signs of<a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/anxiety"> severe separation anxiety</a>. 
&nbsp;

School-aged Children: Children in this age range may feel guilty about the abuse and blame themselves for it. Domestic violence and abuse hurts children&rsquo;s self-esteem. They may not participate in school activities or get good grades, have fewer friends than others, and get into trouble more often. They also may have a lot of headaches and stomach aches.

&nbsp;

Teens: who witness abuse may act out in negative ways, such as fighting with family members or skipping school. They may also engage in risky behaviours, such as having unprotected sex and using alcohol or drugs. They may have low self-esteem and have trouble making friends. They may start fights or bully others and are more likely to get in trouble with the law. This type of behaviour is more common in teen boys who are abused in childhood than in teen girls. Girls are more likely to be withdrawn and to experience depression. 
&nbsp;

Long-term impact

The effects of this abuse can be devastating for children and for society as a whole. Children who witness or are victims of abuse are at higher risk for health problems as adults. These can include mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. They may also include diabetes, obesity, heart disease, poor self-esteem, and other problems.

Children who grow up in homes where there is conflict or domestic violence are more likely to repeat the cycle as adults by entering into abusive relationships or becoming abusers themselves. For example, a boy who sees his mother being abused is 10 times more likely to abuse his female partner as an adult. A girl who grows up in a home where her father abuses her mother is more than six times as likely to be sexually abused as a girl than who grows up in a non-abusive home.

Conflict or domestic violence also affects children&rsquo;s cognitive development: they may have trouble concentrating in school; they may perform poorly on tests; they may have trouble following directions; they may have trouble forming friendships with their peers; and they may be prone to depression and anxiety disorders later on in life. 
&nbsp;

Basic Parameters For Help: Witnessing abuse is a serious problem that can have lasting effects on children and their families. It can also lead to other mental illnesses like PTSD.&nbsp;

Although each child responds differently to abuse and trauma, there are some things that can help children recover from their experiences. These include having:

<ul>
	<li>A good support system or good relationships with trusted adults</li>
	<li>High self-esteem</li>
	<li>It can be hard to know how to talk to your children about domestic violence or abuse. You want to support them and help them feel safe, but you also want them to know that they are not responsible for the violence in their home. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

help a traumatized child

How To Help A Traumatized Child: Here are some steps you can take:

<ul>
	<li>Help them feel safe. Children who witness or experience domestic violence need to feel safe. This safety best comes from one or both of the parents themselves but it is crucial for the child to feel comfortable in their surroundings without having their guard up all the time.</li>
	<li>Talk to them about their fears. Let them know that it&rsquo;s not their fault or your fault. Learn more about how to listen and talk to your child about domestic violence.</li>
	<li>Talk to them about healthy relationships. Help them learn from the abusive experience by talking about what healthy relationships are and are not. This has a massive impact on their outlook on relationships, their ability to judge what is normal and what isn&rsquo;t and avoid any possible toxic traits.</li>
	<li>A reliable support system. In addition to a parent, your child needs more channels to be able to express themselves and to be able to fully communicate and understand what healthy and good connections are like. It is crucial for the child to have a therapist, relative or a friend that they can rely on and open to fully.</li>
</ul>

Pakistan is not alien to oppression and domestic violence. The issue is so severe that in many cases, the victims and their families tend to normalize it since divorce is a taboo. This not just affects the people in the relationship but it contaminates generations. Not taking a step now often means that you will be subjecting someone else to the same experience as you through your children.&nbsp;

Always remember that a divorced woman is better than a dead woman. 
&nbsp;

Umna Salah

How Sexual Violence Can Impact Your Physical And Mental Health

Sexual violence is a harrowing experience that leaves deep scars on survivors. Beyond the immediate trauma, it can have enduring effects on physical and mental health. In this article, we delve into the complex ways in which sexual violence can impact a survivor&#39;s well-being. 
&nbsp;

Impacts of Sexual Violence

<h5>1. Physical Health Consequences</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Physical Injuries: Sexual violence often results in physical injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or fractures. These injuries can range from minor to severe, depending on the nature and intensity of the assault. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Reproductive Health Issues: Sexual violence can lead to reproductive health problems, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancies, and gynecological issues. Survivors may require medical attention and support to address these concerns. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Chronic Health Conditions: Survivors of sexual violence may be at an increased risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as chronic pain, gastrointestinal problems, and autoimmune disorders. The chronic stress from the trauma can weaken the immune system and exacerbate existing health issues. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>2. Mental Health Implications</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Many survivors experience symptoms of PTSD, including flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance. These symptoms can significantly impact daily life and functioning. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Depression And Anxiety: Survivors of sexual violence are at a higher risk of developing depression and anxiety disorders. The emotional toll of the trauma, coupled with feelings of shame and guilt, can contribute to these conditions. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Substance Abuse: Some survivors may turn to substance abuse as a way to cope with the emotional pain and distress caused by the trauma. This can lead to addiction and further complicate recovery. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>3. Sexual And Relationship Issues</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Intimacy And Trust: Sexual violence can shatter trust and intimacy in future relationships. Survivors may struggle with forming and maintaining healthy relationships due to fears and triggers related to the trauma. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Sexual Dysfunction: Survivors may experience sexual dysfunction, including pain during intercourse, loss of libido, or difficulty achieving sexual satisfaction. These issues can affect self-esteem and quality of life. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>4. Social And Emotional Impact</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Isolation And Stigmatization: Survivors of sexual violence may face stigma and isolation, as societal misconceptions and victim-blaming attitudes persist. This isolation can hinder healing and recovery. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Guilt And Shame: Many survivors grapple with feelings of guilt and shame, even though they are not responsible for the assault. These emotions can erode self-worth and hinder the healing process. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Bottom Line

The physical and mental health impact of sexual violence is significant and multifaceted. It&#39;s essential to recognize the complex challenges survivors face and provide them with the support, empathy, and resources they need to heal. With trauma-informed care, therapy, and a strong support network, survivors can embark on a path towards recovery, reclaim their physical and mental health, and rebuild their lives.

Staff Writer

Coping With Sexual Violence And Assault: A Guide To Healing And Recovery

Sexual violence and assault are traumatic experiences that can have profound and lasting effects on survivors. Coping with the aftermath of such incidents is an individual journey, but there are valuable strategies and resources available to aid in the process. In this guide, we&#39;ll explore various steps survivors can take to cope with sexual violence and assault and begin the journey towards healing and recovery. 
&nbsp;

Various Steps for survivors

1. Speak To A Trusted Friend Or Family Member

Sharing your experience with someone you trust can be a crucial first step in coping. It allows you to unburden yourself and receive emotional support from those who care about you. 
&nbsp;

2. Seek Professional Help

Consider reaching out to a therapist, counselor, or support group specializing in trauma and sexual assault. Professional guidance can provide you with valuable tools and coping strategies. 
&nbsp;

1. Contact Law Enforcement

Reporting the assault to the police is an essential step in seeking justice and preventing the perpetrator from harming others. Be prepared for a thorough investigation and remember that you have the right to privacy and confidentiality during the process. 
&nbsp;

2. Preserve Evidence

If you choose to report the incident, try to preserve any physical or digital evidence that may be relevant. This may include photographs, messages, or clothing. 
&nbsp;

1. Practice Self-Compassion

It&#39;s essential to treat yourself with kindness and patience during your healing journey. Self-compassion can help counteract feelings of guilt or self-blame. 
&nbsp;

2. Engage In Physical Activity

Regular exercise can be an effective way to reduce stress and boost your mood. It can also help you reconnect with your body in a positive way. 
&nbsp;

1. Trauma-Informed Therapy

Seek therapy with a trauma-informed therapist who specializes in working with survivors of sexual violence. Therapists can help you process your emotions, develop coping strategies, and work towards healing. 
&nbsp;

2. Support Groups

Joining a support group for survivors of sexual violence can provide a sense of community and shared understanding. It allows you to connect with others who have experienced similar trauma. 
&nbsp;

1. Medical Examination

Visit a healthcare professional for a medical examination, even if you don&#39;t plan to report the incident. This can address any physical injuries and assess the risk of sexually transmitted infections. 
&nbsp;

2. Legal Advocacy

Consider seeking legal advice to understand your rights and options, especially if you choose to pursue legal action against the perpetrator. 
&nbsp;

Coping with sexual violence and assault is an arduous journey, but it&#39;s essential to remember that healing and recovery are possible. Seeking support, whether from friends, family, professionals, or support groups, can significantly aid in the process. Prioritizing self-care, self-compassion, and seeking therapy are key steps towards reclaiming your life and finding hope after trauma. Remember, you are not alone, and there is help available to guide you through this difficult journey. 
&nbsp;

Introduction

Let&rsquo;s talk about it before you turn out to be like Adam Lanza who carried out a shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in which 26 people died just because he was reportedly obsessed with violent video games.<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>

Kids these days, even teenagers, have different issues than ones faced by this demographic in the past. These issues may seem impossible to solve and hard to discuss with their parents, who also lead very busy lives; forcing kids and teenagers to escape their problems via the virtual world. Call it a parenting mistake or marketing gimmick, this is the &lsquo;safe haven&rsquo; for children now, the one place where they find refuge from the real world. 
&nbsp;

According to a study, currently 72% of the children, who are 8 years old and under, use a device for some type of activity, including playing games, watching videos, or using certain apps. These statistics are a drastic jump from the 38% noted back in 2011<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>.&nbsp;

It is horrifying because studies have reported that children who are exposed to violent media, such as movies or games, might not only become immune to violence, but also imitate the violent features and exhibit aggressive behavior. Furthermore, children or even adults who struggle with emotional, behavioral, and learning difficulties are easily affected by it. 
&nbsp;

Understanding the Link Between Videogames and Violence

Video games are not only for juvies anymore; playing them has become a fairly popular leisure activity for all ages.This has made the video gaming industry a multibillion-dollar industry that accumulates more money compared to even movies.&nbsp;

Studies show that girls are inclined to spend more than 1 hour a day playing video games, whereas boys spend more than 2 hours of their day gaming. Quite understandably, teens spend much more time playing video games than younger children. This is because the teenagers connect to the storyline at a much more emotional level, a tactic the multibillion-dollar industry uses. A dedicated team makes sure that the video games under development are extremely sophisticated and realistic, hence blurring the line between the actual and virtual world.&nbsp;

Gaming is now being globalized, too, as some games require connectivity to the internet for allowing the young ones to connect with strangers from around the world. The risk lies in the fact that the person behind the screen can be anyone and involved in anything; those people can manipulate, harass, and force the na&iuml;ve minds to do anything they want. In other words, this kind of exposure without any kind of monitoring is actually dangerous. 
&nbsp;

Earlier, games were aimed to promote educational content, however, the most popular games nowadays are emphasizing and promoting negative content, which includes:

<ul>
	<li>Harming people and animals</li>
	<li>Abuse of drugs and alcohol</li>
	<li>Criminal behavior</li>
	<li>Sexual exploitation</li>
	<li>Racial, sexual, and gender offenses 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

A genre of gaming that has become widely popular over this time in the younger generation is the &ldquo;first-person shooter&rdquo; (FPS) genre. Such games enable the user to essentially live the action and the adrenaline rush by being placed behind the lens of a weapon, and passing through multiple levels of the game, harming the targeted characters. The entirety of these games is based upon guns and enemies, and how to eliminate them

Some of the popular FPS games include titles such as Project IGI Tom Clancy&rsquo;s The Division 2 and Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty: Black Ops IV, and Grand Theft Auto V. Not only is the game itself instilling violence in the mind of the innocent ones, but the accessibility and addictiveness of the activity compels them to be involved in such a way that they get aggressive whether they play too much or too little. 
&nbsp;

Two studies were carried out to find the effect of violent video games in particular. The first study evaluated 227 college students on their aggressive behaviors and their recent delinquencies.Combined with their video game routine, researchers found that the participants who played violent video games in junior and high school were more aggressive.The lead author further stated that they had also found that the amount of time participants spent on playing video games was directly proportional with lower academic grades in college.

The second study was essentially a comparison between playing violent and non-violent games. A total of 210 college students were enrolled and allowed to play either a violent (Wolfenstein 3D) or a non-violent video game (Myst) and then their thought process was analyzed. It was found that the participants who played the violent genre were punishing the opponent for longer durations in comparison to those students who had played the nonviolent variant. 
&nbsp;

Video games are at the heart of accessible gaming experience. If such activities are instilling violent features in a growing mind, imagine what it would do to the troubled ones.&nbsp;

A fairly popular incident of the &ldquo;Blue Whale Challenge&#39;&#39; is a reasonable depiction of this scenario. A student of Grade XI in India had a 4-year history of disturbed sleep along with consistent low mood, self-esteem issues, and loss of concentration. His father had observed that in the last year, his son had developed irritability and would prefer spending his time in isolation with his mobile phone. The child later described that he was looking for suicide ideas over the internet during this time; he had wanted to end his life since he failed his last examination.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

He was then introduced to the &ldquo;Blue Whale Challenge.&rdquo; According to its creator, a Russian psychologist, if a person thinks they have essentially &ldquo;no value&rdquo;, they should commit suicide as this is what a whale does by stranding itself. The boy had accepted the challenge because now he had a guide to instruct him what to do. He thought that he could finally commit suicide peacefully.&nbsp;

Not only was this game launched, it was promoted and it trended in many areas of the world until it made news that the younger generation were being affected severely. The Indian child had accepted 40 challenges put forward by the game, which were a combination of watching horror movies at odd hours of the morning and cutting his body with sharp objects. While he reported that completion of each challenge gave him a sense of satisfaction, a mental status examination exhibited depressive cognition and suicidal ideation.<a href="#accordion">[6]</a> 
&nbsp;

There is a fair possibility that young adults who show inclination towards mass shooting games might harm themselves and others around them. Young adults with an inclination towards violent video games might also exhibit signs of antisocial personality disorder, also referred to as sociopathy. An antisocial personality disorder may or may not present any symptoms during the teenage years, but it is not usually diagnosed until the person attains 18 years of age. Awareness and timely interventions can help prevent the condition from worsening. 
&nbsp;

The early signs of antisocial personality disorder consist of:

<ul>
	<li>Lack of empathy</li>
	<li>Cruelty towards animals</li>
	<li>A disregard for right and wrong</li>
	<li>Persistent lying for the purpose of exploiting others</li>
	<li>Hostility</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;These tendencies should be addressed as early as possible for treatment to be effective. 
&nbsp;

Conclusion

It is an easy way out to live in virtual reality and test non-existent and imaginary abilities.Strength is not cursing someone based on their caste, color or creed, or being sexually abusive.Strength, most certainly, is not aggressiveness on the basis of heavy artillery and brutality. Rather, strength is staying in the world, present and acutely aware of everything and everyone in the environment. It is accepting that things are not right at the moment but this moment, too, shall pass; there&rsquo;s no need to hide or look for alternate or fantasized reality. Strength is knowing that something is just not right and addressing it. So rather than finding the most insanely close-to-reality gaming experience, let&rsquo;s talk about the reality of your life? 
&nbsp;

Key Points

<ul>
	<li>An 8-year-old kid in Louisiana shot Marie Smothers, an 87-year-old caregiver, under the influence of aggressive games.</li>
	<li>Adam Lanza went on a shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, killing 26 people because he was reportedly obsessed with violent video games.</li>
	<li>According to a study, currently 72% of the children, who are 8 years old and under, use a device for some type of activity, including playing games, watching videos, or using certain apps, which is a jump from 38% in 2011.</li>
	<li>Children or even adults struggling with emotional, behavioral and learning difficulties tend to be affected by violent media.</li>
	<li>Studies show that girls are inclined to spend more than 1 hour a day playing video games, whereas boys spend more than 2 hours of their day gaming.</li>
	<li>The most popular games nowadays are emphasizing and promoting negative content, which includes torture of animals, drugs promotion, and sexual exploitation.</li>
	<li>Some of the popular FPS games include Project IGI, Tom Clancy&rsquo;s The Division 2 and Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty: Black Ops IV, and Grand Theft Auto V.</li>
	<li>A study evaluated 227 college students on the basis of their aggressiveness, including their aggressive behaviors and their recent delinquencies. Combined with their video game routine, researchers found that the participants who played violent video games in their junior and high school were more aggressive.</li>
	<li>According to the Blue Whale Challenge&rsquo;s creator, a Russian psychologist, if a person thinks they have essentially &ldquo;no value&rdquo;, they should commit suicide as this is what a whale does by stranding itself.</li>
	<li>An Indian boy who played the Blue Whale Challenge reported that the completion of each challenge gave him a sense of satisfaction, whereas his mental status examination exhibited depressive cognition and suicidal ideation.</li>
	<li>Caution should be exercised when playing video games and it is imperative that the younger impressionable generation is educated on the dangers of virtual reality.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

[1] Russell L. Police: 8-year-old shoots, kills elderly caregiver after playing video game. CNN.

[2] Violent video games can increase aggression. American Psychological Association.

[3] BNI Treatment Centers. Violent video games effects on teens - Bni Treatment Center. BNI Treatment Centers.

[4] Aacap. Video Games and Children: Playing with Violence. Video games and children: Playing with violence.

[5] Nanji A. 75% of American children under 8 have access to a smartphone or tablet. MarketingProfs.

[6] Narayan, R., Das, B., Das, S., & Bhandari, S. S. (2019). The depressed boy who accepted "Blue Whale Challenge". Indian journal of psychiatry, 61(1), 105–106.