Editorial in Jewish Herald Voice - Published Thu, Dec 20, 2012
This past week many have watched with horror as the details on the tragic shooting in Newtown, Conn. unfolded. A compelling article, “I am Adam Lanza’s Mother,” made its rounds on online social networks, spurring a discussion on the case for more services for those with mental illness. “In the wake of another horrific national tragedy,” Liza Long writes, “It’s easy to talk about guns. But, it’s time to talk about mental illness.”
A dear colleague of mine, Rabbi Yisroel Wilhelm of Chabad at CU, shared with me that as a parent of a child with autism, this article touched a raw nerve. He shared, “I deeply appreciate so many people posting [the article]. I worry about my son. For example, even thought he’s still young, I wonder what might happen if a police officer arrests him for doing something silly? How will he react?”
He continued to share something that has been on my mind for a while and especially since the story broke on Friday. He encouraged me to share his thoughts and add some of my own. That is the social impact of violent movies and video games. It isn’t the only problem, but, it is something to think about.
Anyone who has a relative on the mental health spectrum will know many of these children get caught up or even addicted to things most of us enjoy for a short time. Oftentimes, they will get fixated on something, whether a game or hobby, and they won’t want to do or talk about anything else.
Think about the last time you watched a murder scene in a movie. Did you cringe, close your eyes or mute the screen? Or, was it simple to see people getting killed in a gruesome manner? Did a lovely evening or nightmares follow the night out to the theater?
When life carries on without hindrance, perhaps it is because when we are exposed to so many violent scenes, it begins to numb our ability to be sensitive to these realities.
Now, think about the teenager with special needs. Imagine he watches these movies or plays the violent video games. He has the same enjoyment watching the movie, just in a more extreme way. We never will understand, because his brain is wired differently. He can get a “kick” out of someone getting hurt, even though he has the gentlest soul. If he watches enough of those movies, he will become mentally addicted to them. That is the only thing he will be able to think about.
Now, think about any impressionable child and what we expose them to. The Lubavitcher Rebbe strongly encouraged that children be surrounded by toys, art and clothes with kosher animals. Non-kosher animals have negative energies for a Jewish child and, often, violent natures.
Ask yourself, is a child sophisticated enough to distinguish the difference between Hollywood and reality? Discern the difference of video games and playground games? Like a developing seed in soil, developing children are impacted by the smallest of things causing a greater impact. Children and teenagers are in their formative years, when their heart, mind, soul and personality are being formed. The sights we see, and especially those that they see, leave a tremendous imprint on our collective psyche.
We must make sure our children – especially those with special needs – are not exposed to violent movies and games.
Hashem wrote in the Torah more than 3,300 years ago: “You shall not wander after your hearts and after your eyes” for the heart desires what the eye sees.
Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff, a Torah Day School of Houston alumnus, is the director of Chabad of Uptown and program director for Chabad Lubavitch of Texas.