The Danger of Virtual Games: We Warn Families

Clinical Psychologist Şengül Yarımoğlu Çakıcı, who works at Bağcılar Municipality, warned families about the danger posed by violent games in the virtual world.

Clinical Psychologist Şengül Yarımoğlu Çakıcı, who works at Bağcılar Municipality, warned families about the danger posed by violent games in the virtual world. Çakıcı, who drew attention to the fact that children in particular are losing touch with the real world and taking on the character in the game, said, “We are in the age of technology; it is not possible to completely keep them away from computers, but we should limit their use and control it.”

An 18-year-old young man, who was influenced by the war game he played in Eskişehir, attacked citizens sitting in a tea garden in the area with an axe and a knife yesterday. Wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet and hiding his face with a mask, the suspect stabbed 5 people sitting in the tea house in the area. Similar incidents have been seen in different parts of the country in the last year.

“He takes on the character in the game”

This latest dramatic event has also laid bare the insidious dangers awaiting children in the virtual world. Experts, who say that technology addiction imprisons children and young people in the virtual world and distances them from the real world, warned families in advance of the possible dangers. Stating that children who spend a lot of time in front of the screen cannot distinguish reality from the virtual after a while, Clinical Psychologist Şengül Yarımoğlu Çakıcı, who works at Bağcılar Municipality Women and Family Culture and Art Center, said, “Users cut off their ties with their families and their surroundings with these games. They get caught up in that world and put themselves in the shoes of the character in the game. They take on that character. The real danger begins after this. Games that incline towards violence also open the door to violence.”

We must impose usage restrictions

Emphasizing that it is very important for families to spend the necessary time with their children, Çakıcı made the following warnings to parents: “With the internet, computers have become an inseparable part of our lives. We are in the age of technology; it is not possible to completely keep them away from computers, but we should limit their use and control what they do. We should also filter for very young children. We should also discover children’s interests and talents and direct them towards sports, music and art.”

On the other hand, Çakıcı drew attention to the fact that children who spend too much time in front of the computer may experience problems such as attention deficit, learning difficulties and autistic structure. – ISTANBUL