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3 clusters · 16 sources · 9 days · First seen · Last updated

School attacks and psychological impact in Turkey

Overview

Following armed incidents in schools across various Turkish cities, including Kahramanmaraş, Şanlıurfa, Manisa, Başakşehir, and Esenyurt, experts have raised concerns regarding the causes and psychological consequences of the violence.

Criminology expert Professor Miraç Burak Gönültaş noted similarities between the behaviors of attackers and violent video game characters, suggesting that digital content may contribute to the normalization of aggression. He identified risk factors such as antisocial behavior, peer bullying, and unmet emotional needs.

Psychologists are warning of significant trauma in children. Prof. Dr. Ayşenur Büyükgöze Kavas of Ondokuz Mayıs University emphasized that these events must be treated as crises. She noted that children may experience hypervigilance, separation anxiety, and physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, sleep disturbances, and changes in eating habits. Experts advise that children should be exposed to as little imagery and detail of the incidents as possible, and that parents and educators must maintain calmness to help children regain security. Without proper support, these reactions could evolve into long-term issues like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Additionally, psychologist Çağatay Demirel of Atlas University has warned of the risk of ‘copycat violence’ and social contagion. He noted that while most children are not affected by news reports, individuals who feel marginalized or invisible may view violent acts as a way to be heard. To mitigate these risks, Demirel calls for increased cooperation between media, schools, and families, specifically advising against the glorification of perpetrators in news coverage.

Entities

Miraç Burak Gönültaş · Cumhuriyet University · Atlas University · Ondokuz Mayıs University · Ayşenur Büyükgöze Kavas

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 11 sources
    Psychologist warns of copycat violence risks in Turkish schools

    Psychologist Çağatay Demirel warns of social contagion and copycat violence risks in schools, urging media and families to support vulnerable students and avoid highlighting perpetrators.

  2. [HEALTH] 6 sources
    Psychologists warn of trauma in children following Turkish school shootings

    Experts warn of psychological risks for children following armed school incidents in Turkey, advising parents to limit exposure to incident details and maintain calm to prevent long-term trauma.

  3. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Expert links school attackers' behaviors to violent video game characters

    Expert Miraç Burak Gönültaş warns that recent school attackers in Turkey exhibit behaviors mirroring violent video game characters, suggesting digital content may influence how children execute violence.

Sources

ayancikgazetesi.com · eskisehir.net · eurodressage.com · gazetearena.com · gazeteilksayfa.com · gazetemerhaba.com · haber1.com · haberport.com · karar.com · karsmanset.com · konhaber.com · mebpersonel.org · odatv4.com · sondakika.com · tgrthaber.com · yorumla.net

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history