Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector and Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, in his evaluation of the effects of television series on individuals' behavior and psychology, points out that the increase in violence in the media is a significant issue also emphasized in psychological research worldwide.
News of armed violence from all corners of Turkey emerges with scenes we are familiar with from rating-breaking TV series. Experts believe that crime and violence-themed series particularly affect the psychology of children and young people.
Recently, the increase in news of armed violence across the country has drawn attention. With the widespread use of developing technology, "armed violence footage" recorded almost like a movie thanks to continuously recording mobile phones and security camera images is no less striking than the action films we watch on television or in cinemas.
In crime and violence news, featuring as "assault", "murder", and "armed conflict" in written and visual media, the casual demeanor shown by perpetrators as they harm others with firearms is astounding. This brings to mind the "crime and violence" series that grace screens on different television channels seven days a week. In these series, which captivate millions with charismatic actors, abundant in weapons, intrigue, violence, and betrayal; how do characters who execute their own justice, kill numerous people in every episode without batting an eye, and continue to live peacefully without any punishment, affect the psychology of their viewers? Although we may enjoy watching some series, it is crucial to remember that committing violence against others with weapons or brute force is by no means an ordinary or normal act.
It is observed that the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK)'s stance to prevent the "promotion" of alcohol and tobacco use in programs, films, series, music videos, commercials, and promotional films broadcast on television, is not applied to firearm images in action films. This creates a situation where; in a crime-mafia series, there is no objection to the lead actor showing the weapon in his hand to viewers while killing dozens of people in one night, but if he holds a glass of alcohol or a cigarette, it is blurred. Before evaluating the issue with experts' opinions, it is useful to recall the Violence Report announced earlier this year by the Umut Foundation, which fights against individual armament. According to this report, in 2020, 2,040 people were killed and 3,688 people were injured in 3,682 incidents in Turkey.
Increases propensity for violence
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector and Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, in his evaluation of the effects of television series on individuals' behavior and psychology, points out that the increase in violence in the media is a significant issue also emphasized in psychological research worldwide. Prof. Dr. Tarhan, noting that characters in television series can negatively affect children in particular, continues as follows:
"Because this kind of increase enhances the tendency towards violence in children and young people. The increasing violence leads to mental disorders and childhood traumas. Violence in the media has three types of effects on individuals. The first is 'modeling violence'. Someone who experiences violence from their father applies it to their sibling, or someone who experiences it from their boss at work applies it to their employee. The second is 'desensitization'. For example, two people fight, but then act as if nothing happened. The last one is 'fear'."
Emphasizing that parents should show the same care for their children's "minds" as they do for their nutrition and clothing, Prof. Dr. Tarhan states, "These series decide what children will like or dislike, and what they will choose as a role model. Children see their favorite characters in series as ego ideals. If a child watches a series for this reason, parents need to question it. Therefore, parents should explain to children that not all information in series is true, and they should not believe everything they hear. When a child watches a series or becomes overly engrossed in something in any computer environment, parents should patiently explain the wrong and right to the child." Prof. Dr. Tarhan also touches upon the psychological-themed series recently on the agenda, advising viewers not to forget that the broadcasted series are fictional scenarios, and says:
"Cases we frequently encounter in series appear before us as scripted narratives. If the event is 30 percent, the fiction accounts for 70 percent. Viewers need to watch knowing this. In series, some things are exaggerated, highlighted. This is also technically done as required by the script. We especially advise against children under 18 watching psychology-themed series. Because they may be negatively affected as they have not yet reached maturity."
Negative but attractive characters
Stating that modernism and capitalism first make people sick and then treat them, Prof. Dr. Tarhan says, "Thirty years ago, the word 'stress' was not used this much. Now even children have started joking, 'Let's relieve stress.' People are now living fast. Due to consumer culture, the 'earn-consume' cycle is spinning. As an argument of the consumer economy, the perception of fashion creates 'influencers'. Consumption is accelerated under the influence of popular culture. For this reason, modernism creates its own problems and then finds medicines to treat them! As long as the current 'modernist-capitalist ethics' continue, these will not decrease but increase. Antidepressants will sell more."
Emphasizing that negative characters in series are often attractive characters, Prof. Dr. Tarhan advises families to let their children watch series that glorify being a good person, helpfulness, empathy, honesty, and keeping one's word. Prof. Dr. Tarhan says:
"If a film or series watched as a family teaches cruelty, mercilessness, we absolutely need to question the role characters in that series. Let's teach children that being a good person is more important than being famous! If we implant this in children's minds, they will question those series. We must instill our priorities and important values in children's developing souls before series characters."
Source : INDEPENDENT Turkish