Even without being direct witnesses, people can experience strong stress and trauma reactions through images circulating on social media.
Mental health affects the way we think, feel, and function in everyday life. It is not separate from real life, but constitutes its foundation; it is not a luxury, but a prerequisite for a quality life, psychologists emphasize. However, social networks have enabled us to indirectly witness many shocking and violent scenes that occur in our society.
The psychological impact of violent videos - secondary exposure to violence
This secondary exposure to violence is not without consequences. Research studies conducted after major attacks or natural disasters have shown that people who repeatedly viewed images of these events experienced increased levels of post-traumatic stress, says James Densley, professor and chair of the School of Criminology and Criminal Law at Metro State University in Minneapolis.
– In some cases, the impact on mental health almost equals the impact on people who were directly involved in the event, Professor Densley estimates, explaining that watching violent videos can lead to secondary or indirect trauma, especially because social media amplifies their impact.
– Anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and sleep disturbances may occur. This occurs when a person “absorbs” the emotional and psychological weight of someone else’s suffering through repeated exposure. It is a stress reaction that is practically indistinguishable from direct exposure, he emphasizes, reports the Telegraph.
The nervous system is activated by scenes of violence
Empathy is the ability to feel and understand the suffering of others, while trauma is a biological response to stress. Empathy is a positive value and can foster constructive engagement. But when our nervous system is repeatedly activated by scenes of violence, people can develop hypervigilance, emotional numbness, or avoidance behavior, psychologists explain.
Today, social media broadcasts images of violence constantly, unpredictably, and often without warning. From a stress response perspective, this means that the brain never has a chance to fully unwind and calm down. Moreover, today's images are much more intense and realistic than, for example, images of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy or the Vietnam War.
In the past, the footage seemed more filtered and distant, not only due to editorial editing, but also due to poor technical quality. Today, everything is broadcast in high definition, with surround sound, making the experience much more real and shocking.
How does the brain react to scenes of violence in the immediate environment?
– The human brain is not designed to passively watch real-life scenes of violence without consequences. Every time you watch such a video, your nervous system reacts as if the event were happening to you personally, not to someone far away. Each additional viewing intensifies stress. Therefore, contrary to the idea that people “get used” to violence, repeated exposure deepens emotional fatigue and suffering, explains Professor Densley.
Asked if some people are more susceptible to psychological consequences, he adds:
– Some individuals are more prone to traumatic reactions because of their previous experiences with trauma. For example, if you are part of a minority group that has experienced police violence, such images can act as strong emotional triggers. Also, when violent events occur in places that people are familiar with, in their city or neighborhood, the risk of strong stress reactions increases significantly. /Telegraph/
