Aggressive online/video games ruling young minds

LUCKNOW: Learning through observation is a simple task for the human brain but it comes with a flip side, say experts. Kids can end up learning wrong things and both schools and parents have to own up to their responsibility, they add.

“Too much violence in computer games is perverting young minds. These days, children play excessive video games, where they are required to eliminate targets to reach the next level. Little do they realise that virtual games are different from the real life where attacking someone with a knife becomes a crime,” said Prof Manoj Dixit, vice chancellor, RML Avadh University, Faizabad.

Experts suggest children should be provided guarded exposure to the internet con-

tent.

“Similarly, safe internet usage should also be taught to them. Again, grownups should take care not to indulge in aggressive acts before children as their minds are imitative,” said Manini Srivastava, assistant professor of psychology department at the Lucknow University.

Another expert cautioned parents against hiding their

child’s mistake or taking it too casually.

“This girl (suspect in Brightland school stabbing case) is said to have run away twice from her home, but apparently her parents didn’t work on the problem to the extent that was needed. Problematic relationships and neglect too can lead to frustration and aggression in children,” he said.

Experts also mooted the idea of certain policies being framed at the government level and being made mandatory for schools, such as, including in curriculum certain modules that focus on development of emotional skills and self awareness in children, and providing professional counselling to kids with problematic behaviour, depression, etc.

Psychiatrist and behaviour expert Dr Malay Kant says that with easy access to multiple channels and live TV through the internet, there was no stopping for kids.

“It’s a human tendency to learn what we see -- even if it’s a heinous act being shown,” he said.

TESTING THE LIMIT

Also, if parents forcibly stop children from doing anything, a phenomenon called ‘testing the limit’ kicks in.

This means that the child will now push his / her limit to see what happens if they do what’s being prohibited.

“For instance, if you stop them from riding a bicycle on the main road, they (children) will go to the main road just to see what’s wrong in doing that. This makes them learn the consequences, but usually after falling victim,” said Dr Kant.

“Such a situation needs regular sessions between parents and children, and also good communication / rapport between them,” he added.

Dr Kant said that keeping a watch on what kids prefer to see when parents are not around can help prevent unfortunate episodes.

“But before taking any action, parents need to understand what the child is going through,” he added.