AMMAN — Israel's war on Gaza confronts parents with a
dilemma: expose children to harsh war realities or shield them from graphic
social media content. Since October 7, the region has been at a standstill,
inundated with Gaza-related content—photos and videos marked as sensitive by
social media companies, urging cautious viewer discretion. Amidst the
casualties, predominantly children, scrolling through social media becomes an
exposure to the tragic aftermath, with numerous bodies reflecting the toll of
the Israeli Occupation Authorities.
اضافة اعلان
These images and videos leave a lasting impact on both
children and adults alike. Saleem Al-Juboor, a father of three, asserts that
the scenes shared on social media leave a more profound impact than those seen
on television. While TV channels may curate less violent content, the
accessibility of social media allows for repeated exposure to traumatic
moments.
In response, Juboor opts to follow the news on TV during his
children's sleep, closely monitoring the content on their tablets to safeguard
them from distressing videos circulating online.
Some argue that children should be exposed to the harsh
realities
On the other hand, some, like Umm Salem, argue for exposing
children to the harsh realities of the Israeli occupation to raise awareness of
the gravity of the Palestinian cause. However, she emphasizes the importance of
limiting viewing durations to mitigate adverse effects on education, sleep, and
social interactions.
Optimism for a return to normalcy post-war
Meanwhile, Saeed Ragheb urges caution against subjecting
children to violent scenes, expressing optimism about a return to normalcy
post-war while underscoring the potential for lasting trauma among children. He
insists that the impact of such scenes transcends age, affecting anyone who
witnesses the unfolding tragedy in Gaza.
The negative impact of social media on children’s mental
health
Furthermore, childhood specialist Nareman Areeqat highlights
the negative impact of social media on children's mental health when exposed to
violence.
Parents, she stresses, play a crucial role in addressing
children's concerns, encouraging them to express their feelings through
activities like drawing or writing to channel emotions positively.
To shield children from violent imagery, parents are advised
to monitor their devices, providing educational apps for play and learning.
Areeqat underscores the importance of parents engaging in discussions,
understanding children's negative feelings, and teaching emotional expression
to promote positive thinking.
Psychiatric expert Dr. Ashraf Al-Salehi warns against
habitual exposure to sensitive videos, citing potential disorders like
obsessive-compulsive thoughts, panic attacks, isolation, increased heart rate,
nightmares, sleep disturbances, violent tendencies, and personality changes.
Parents are advised to refrain from making news the central
focus of family discussions, emphasizing assistance, prayers, donations, and
spreading awareness of children's global rights through social media.
In the midst of adversity, the role of parents emerges as
vital in guiding their children, understanding their concerns, and instilling
hope amid challenging circumstances.
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