Currently, it is not difficult to see children frequently watching livestreams and videos of streamers and influencers with vulgar language, violent content or aggressive behavior. Repeated exposure to these contents can gradually make children "emotionally indifferent" (desensitization), i.e., physiological and emotional reactions to a stimulus gradually decrease when exposed to that stimulus many times.
According to BSCKII Nguyen Thanh Sang - Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology - Rehabilitation - Traditional Medicine, Children's Hospital 2, this situation is more worrying when it occurs early, repeats frequently and lacks companionship and explanation from adults.
In children, "indifferentity" can be expressed in many aspects. In terms of physiology, the body's natural reactions to shocking content may gradually decrease. In terms of emotions, initial fear and discomfort from inappropriate images or words may fade after many exposures.
It is noteworthy that children may also experience reduced empathy, less willingness to help others, and gradually see offensive words as normal. Some children imitate harmful language from frequently watched videos without fully understanding the severity.
Frequent exposure to violent content can affect children's ability to regulate emotions and empathy, thereby affecting the formation of social relationships. Through observational learning mechanisms, children can also absorb and repeat the behaviors seen on the screen.
If children regularly witness scolding, threatening, or assaulting as a normal way of communicating, they are at risk of developing distorted perceptions of behavior.
When prolonged exposure to highly stimulating content, children may gradually need stronger and more dramatic content to create similar emotional responses. However, the level of impact is not the same in all children, but depends on the frequency, duration of exposure, age, content characteristics as well as the companionship of adults.
To limit negative impacts, parents should proactively talk to children about the content they have just seen, helping them distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, and identify content that is staged or should not be imitated. Parents can set limits on the time and type of content children are exposed to, but should clearly explain the reasons instead of just prohibiting.
Adults need to set an example in using language and behaving in the face of offensive behaviors online. Empathy also needs to be fostered from real life by encouraging children to care for others, pets and share emotions with their families.
If children show signs of indifference, often provoke or imitate negative behaviors clearly and for a long time, parents should seek out child psychologists for appropriate evaluation and support," Dr. Sang advised.
