Mumbai: Social media contributing to the rise of violence in society?

Ramon Magsaysay Award winner and psychiatrist Dr Bharat Vatwani

Recent incidents of repeated shootouts, violence, murders, and suicides depicted on social media and in movies have been flagged by experts for their harmful impact on society. City psychiatrists connect this trend to a reduction in human, emotional, and family contact time, resulting in heightened anger, which transforms into hatred. Furthermore, disconnection is identified as the predominant affliction of the 21st century.

Disconnection disease

"Copycat suicides and violence, particularly the disturbing trend of women being hacked to pieces, have been observed for a while. Recently, a new trend has emerged where shooting people has become prevalent. In a world filled with angst, emotional blinding occurs, and the discerning brain, the prefrontal cortex, gets suspended," said Dr Harish Shetty, a renowned psychiatrist.

He further pointed out that those who exhibit explosive behaviour often evade the law due to political connections. He also warned that the law should hold channels and social media accountable for irresponsibly perpetuating such horrifying videos.

Signs not to ignore

"It is crucial that the repetitive use of phrases like 'I want to die', 'I want to kill", "I will teach him/her a lesson', 'I hate his family', 'I do not want to live or allow him to live' are warning signs and should not be ignored by family members or friends as these are indications and warning signs that the person needs mental health assistance. Also, if one has violent or anxious thoughts, it would be a good idea to talk to a sensible friend, a family doctor or a mental health professional," Dr Shetty explained

Deleterious effects

Dr Bharat Vatwani, a Ramon Magsaysay Award winner and psychiatrist said, "The recurring incidents of shootouts, violence, murders, and suicides, unfolding in society and magnified on social media, have detrimental consequences. They escalate the potential for more violence, reflecting a decline in individual and societal emotional control."

"Fear, anxiety, impulsiveness, false bravado, one-upmanship, and psychological justification contribute to a complex emotional landscape. Tragically, these repetitive acts become catalysts, triggering further violence by providing instant gratification for pent-up emotions in disturbed individuals within an already fractured society. The perverse joy derived from vicariously witnessing heinous crimes on social media can erase moral and ethical boundaries, leading to a state of emotional numbness."

"The distinction between right and wrong blurs, and perpetrators often adopt the role of the perceived victim. Crime ceases to be a remedy for injustice, as the injustice within the crime becomes a catalyst for further wrongdoing, setting off a chain reaction," he added.

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