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School attacks and psychological impact in Turkey

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-04 08:13 UTC → 2026-10-08 12:23 UTC · added removed

Following armed incidents in schools across various Turkish cities, including Kahramanmaraş, Şanlıurfa, and 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. In response to the incidents, psychologists Psychologists are warning of potential significant trauma in children. Prof. Dr. Ayşenur Büyükgöze Kavas of Ondokuz Mayıs University emphasized that these events must be treated as crises, noting crises. She noted that children may experience hypervigilance, separation anxiety, and physical symptoms like such as headaches, stomachaches, sleep disturbances. disturbances, and changes in eating habits. Experts warned advise that without proper support from children should be exposed to as little imagery and detail of the incidents as possible, and that parents and educators, educators must maintain calmness to help children regain security. Without proper support, these reactions could evolve into long-term issues such as 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.

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  1. 2026-10-08 12:23 UTC School attacks and psychological impact in Turkey
  2. 2026-10-04 08:13 UTC School attacks and psychological impact in Turkey

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