Growing up with Media Violence and Psychological Trauma among Youth in Pakistan

Masrur Alam Khan1, Bakht Rawan2 & Asmat Ullah3

Abstract
In this digital age the impact of media can be observed in all walks of life. All media users are being influenced by one or another type of media, however the amount of effect and time may vary. One cannot deny the fact that the images that are being shown in the mainstream media are full of violence and conflict. With the latest multifaceted media platforms and their content, there is no escape from the violence, it is very much relevant in today’s world to understand that how does such violent content affect the individuals, particularly the youth. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships between exposure to violent media and psychological effects i.e. desensitization, aggressive behavior, sleep disturbance, and
anxiety among youth. Survey was conducted at a national level from colleges and
universities. The results demonstrated that exposure to violence has significant
relationships with desensitization, aggressive behavior, sleep disturbance, and
anxiety however, there was no significant influence of age and gender of the
respondents in the relationships between exposure to violent media content and
aggression, sleep disorder, anxiety and desensitization.

Keywords: Media violence, psychological trauma, Pakistani youth, digital media