We are not a colony of ants or a hive of bees working all the time. We create and we innovate, and we give our lives meaning and purpose. We question our own existence and speculate about our place in the universe. And 
because of our intelligence, we have created what we know today as entertainment. Before the birth of Jesus Christ, over 2000 years ago, playwrights such as the great and gifted Sophocles created works that, to this day, are being performed in theatres around the world. Who can be insensible to those timeless plays – The Theban Plays?
The brave Antigone and the ill-fated and unfortunate Oedipus! It was one of the greatest tragedies ever written. And what about the great William Shakespeare? He is admired the world over as one of the greatest playwrights in history. But entertainment is not only limited to plays and poetry, we all know the boundless pleasure of books, one of the oldest forms of entertainment that many of our readers used to enjoy as children.
But with the advancement in technology, today a new generation of youth has at their disposal DVDs, the internet, Netflix, and now there is even talk of Virtual Reality. Just think of how Virtual Reality will transform the world of entertainment. There has definitely been a lifestyle change. The internet has made life easier for all of us. Information is just a click away, a matter of seconds. Social media is wonderful! Facebook is a wonderful way to connect with friends and family. You can listen to music all day and read posts on YouTube. However, with the internet, our youth are also given the choice of playing online games. The danger here is that some youth get addicted to online games, particularly violent ones.
DVDs and Netflix are very popular today. People take great pleasure in watching comedies, dramas, and thrillers. It is all good, clean fun. Horror is also a popular genre watched by many. But is it possible that there are some people who might take horror the wrong way? These are fascinating questions that the Daily News attempts to answer in this article.
Psychological impact
Is there such a thing as being mature enough to play violent online games? Are there young people who can play online games without being affected? Consultant Psychiatrist, National Institute of Mental Health, Angoda, Dr. Malsha de Silva, pointed out that whether youth or adult, being exposed to violent content repeatedly can lead to desensitization to such situations. The same can be said for violent video games, even if they are played offline. She warns that we may be looking at a society unmoved by violence, something that would have been unimaginable to an average person of an older generation.
“In addition, an impressionable youth who engages in games with violent content is more prone to aggressive acts such as fighting and bullying, which are major behavioural issues in schools. These games reward the player with more life power and a higher capacity to inflict violence as a reward for their violent acts and, therefore, have a reinforcing effect on such behaviours. Games depicting violence against women can form sexist and demeaning attitudes towards women. They can also learn violence as the main means of conflict resolution. Humane emotions such as empathy and kindness may be overshadowed by competitiveness and aggression, repeatedly practised in these games,” said Dr. de Silva.
She added that the brain continues to develop and mature through childhood and adolescence, making it vulnerable to outside influences and addictions. Children form their personalities at this stage, and the content they are repeatedly exposed to will have a lasting impact on their attitudes, behaviours, and coping styles. Therefore, children and adolescents are deemed more vulnerable due to their neurobiological characteristics. However, individual differences in the impact will be due to each child’s personality factors.
The horror movie industry makes a lot of money. Horror movies are relatively inexpensive to make. We are told that the original Halloween from legendary director John Carpenter only cost $325,000 to produce. And it made $47 million at the box office! That’s incredible!
Complexities of addiction
“For an average healthy adult, watching a horror movie can be a positive experience where they observe a threatening 
situation in the safety of their own home/space. Here, they get to experience a rush of adrenaline followed by brain chemicals such as endorphins that convey the sensation of euphoria and satisfaction. However, one needs to be cautious if experiencing significant anxiety or depressive symptoms, as watching horror for those people can be an unpleasant experience that triggers anxiety and sometimes actual disorders such as acute stress reaction or even post-traumatic stress disorder. It is always better to let the person stick to their comfort level when watching horror and no one should force anyone else to watch it as individual capacities vary drastically,” she explained.
She pointed out that anyone can beat an addiction, even violent online gaming. The idea that it is unbeatable is the central myth that keeps people hooked to different types of addictions as they feel helpless against them.
The internet has been around for a long time, but it is only recently that we have heard about these online game addictions. What could be the reason for this new development? “I think it is due to several reasons. Firstly, the availability and accessibility of technical gadgets and devices have increased exponentially. They have become more affordable and much faster than the earlier versions. The games have evolved drastically and are attractive and catchy, with better quality and technical advancements. The internet is ubiquitous, with access available almost anywhere. Social media has brought people closer to their devices, and they spend increasing amounts of time with screens than in real life. This behaviour pattern has also allowed people to spend more time gaming. Then came Covid-19, making matters worse. This is a vicious cycle where increasing time with screens creates more feelings of emptiness and depression, pushing the youth further along screen/gaming addiction,” she added.
According to Dr. de Silva, internet addiction is also a cause for concern. Any behavioural addiction is pathological as it will negatively impact one’s personal life, career, education, and relationships. Therefore, it is important to curb the addiction before it causes irreversible damage to a person’s life. “The first step is to identify that there is an addiction. The signs would be spending more and more time on it, needing more intense content, being unable to control the behaviour, life revolving around this particular activity, and using it despite knowing the harm.”
Daily News also spoke to the Deputy Head of a leading boys’ school, who pointed out that although gaming addiction was taking place in a small way before the pandemic, the pandemic and the advent of online classes saw more and more students getting addicted to gaming.
Parental challenges
“We have students who play games through the night, till maybe 4:00 am and then are too tired to come to school the next day and end up skipping school. Parents are unable to control this lifestyle. We have held many programs educating the students about the ill effects of gaming/online gaming and how one must regulate involvement. But when we do hear of a student who is addicted and is unable to attend school, we have done house visits together with the counsellors to try and talk sense and encourage them to come back to school,” he said.
Unfortunately, the parents are helpless or unaware of what is going on in the child’s life. “As a teacher, I don’t feel threatened by online gaming, but I do feel that there is cause for concern. If done in moderation and without sacrificing the rest of your life for the game, that’s fine, but when a child gets so addicted that they don’t want to do what a normal child does, or if their attitudes and beliefs are affected by the game, then something should be done.”
Most of the themes used in online gaming are related to violence. Games like Call of Duty and GTA are all about violence and the glorification of immorality. They become part and parcel of the child’s values when played repeatedly. These could then affect all relationships and their future.
His advice to parents is to seek professional advice. Don’t consider it an embarrassment or think that something is wrong with the child or that it is something to be ignored as a passing phase. Get help. The sooner, the better. “Brad Hudleston, in his book titled ‘Digital Cocaine: A Journey Toward iBalance’, says that an hour of playing a video game is equivalent to half a line of cocaine. When the devices are removed from the child, they experience the same withdrawal symptoms as a drug addict. It is that serious. This is not limited to online gaming and is also true for being on social media,” he added.
His advice is that children should NOT be allowed to have their devices in their bedrooms. This disrupts the sleep they need. They should not be allowed to use their devices in private, and parents should continuously monitor the accessed content. Boundaries should be set regarding the duration of usage. More importantly, family time should be sacred. Meals should be consumed together as a family. Parents should engage in mind-stimulating conversations with their children. Family bonding outdoor activities are a must. Family holidays are important. The child becomes unhinged with the online reality when the actual reality is enjoyable. “All of the above is in the hands of the parents who need to learn what parenting is without expecting others to handle it. Understand that bringing a child into this world is a huge responsibility which never ends.”
Chairperson of Giggles Educational Pvt Limited and Principal of Giggles International Montessori and Asian Grammar School Colombo and Matara, Dr. Thushari Koralage, pointed out that it’s a threat to a growing mind in all aspects, from brain development to emotional and social, and physical development. Gaming is sedentary, and young kids should be active in all their pursuits. “It is very dangerous indeed. I have come across many situations where young people are so addicted to gaming that they blur their reality with their gaming reality. There are cases where kids fight with their parents, leaving the parents hopeless when they attempt to stop their children from gaming. There is only one way to help, and that is control and instilling discipline. Setting strong rules at home about what kids can and can’t do. Teaching them right from wrong and having real conversations with young people about what gaming does to them. Unless they understand that it is harmful, young people will never stop such behaviour,” she explained.
Academic implications
She pointed out that when kids are addicted to these online games, the most common symptom observed is social distancing, first from family and even from school peers. They may even avoid attending school. The more such behaviour is allowed, the closer it gets to the point where they will refuse any form of social interaction.
“Research proves that there is a strong correlation between online gaming and academic success. The more time the child engages in such games, the less academic success they will have. There are many research papers written on it. Also, the constant fights they have with their parents because of gaming will build a barrier between them and their parents, which leads to further deterioration in the relationship. In the future, we will have a generation of children with no social skills and who live in their own alternate reality. We will see larger numbers of school refusals.”
Akhry Ameer, a theatre veteran, was asked if it is healthier for the mind to watch plays (by Shakespeare and Greek/Roman playwrights) rather than be obsessed with playing online games and surfing the internet.
“My response may sound strange to many. I believe that a little of everything is required. I say it, looking inward. Plays provoke the mind to think and require absorption as you watch them. Reading a script will not always work for everyone. Online gaming has also reached new proportions, and today it requires focus, mind, and skill application. When time permits, I dabble in some e-Racing and strategy games, and I see it requires these attributes to excel. On the other hand, surfing the net is the instant responder when you have questions that suddenly spark your mind and need an answer, or it just passes you by. Addiction to any of these is, of course, a recipe for disaster.”
Film genres and audience perception
Filmmaker Boodee Keerthisena pointed out that in this day and age, it is difficult to control what you watch and what you don’t watch. You can watch many scary things on YouTube, maybe not too violent. With social media, you can watch anything violent as well. It isn’t easy to keep strict control of that. “I do think you need some maturity to watch horror. People say certain things should not be put into a child’s mind. I kind of agree with that because you need some life experience to filter certain things. Just because everything is free does not mean anybody has the right to give certain information to somebody’s mind that can go wrong. So I do believe in the fact that you need a certain kind of maturity,” said Keerthisena.
He added that categorizing films is a way of marketing. Before Covid-19, a Korean movie called “Parasite” won an Academy Award. You had violence, horror, comedy, and suspense, everything in that. “Film has become a business now. People know when there is either violence, sex, or gore in it. Sometimes, it is an easy sell or a better way to market it. I think this categorization has come with easy marketing and the business side of it. Of course, you need to know your audience. If I make a film with all these elements, I don’t know if I would call it a horror movie. I would not mind making something like that because it is what you express and create. It could have such different genres in one film, and it could be very successful as well.”
It could all depend on a person’s background, life experience, or preferences. “When I was watching Re-Animator in the 80s, I was filled with wonder because it was very scary, but sometime later, when I was in the United States, kids of the same age found it very humorous. It all depends on the culture where you come from. Then Evil Dead! My god, it was very scary! But with time, I suppose anything can seem funny because of how it was made in that era. With your cultural background, you look at things in a different way. What may be scary and thrilling to me, for somebody else, could be scary but funny. It depends on that cultural background,” pointed out Keerthisena.
“I don’t think I can recommend one thing over the other, comedy over horror or horror over comedy,” says Keerthisena. “I would personally like to make a film that is entertaining. In that entertainment, there may be comedy, suspense, and maybe horror if needed. Maybe gore if it is needed there. That is what I would call a movie when everything comes together. To make the reality, show the reality, and make the audience feel that.”
How to beat addiction
Make access to the device difficult, especially during the times that the behaviour happens.
Do not charge the phone near the bed, not bringing the phone to the bedroom.
Keep the phone or the device locked away in a cupboard or with someone else once you get home from work/school.
Get physical and vent out the energy and get away from the vulnerable position. Get a bicycle, start going to the gym, get together with someone keen on jogging and schedule a daily jogging session.
Rethink and realign your life values and set down some goals to achieve – volunteering, losing x amount of weight, helping someone in need.
Spend more time with people – try to get meals with family, meet healthy friends offline.
Reward yourself – when you achieve your goals with regards to the addiction.
Map your progress – mark on the calendar/app so it will motivate you.
Horror Films That Continue to Haunt Audiences
The Exorcist: A 1973 American Horror Film still discussed today. It depicts the demonic possession of a sweet, young, innocent girl. Those who watched it still remember the terror they felt.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose: Based on a true story, this film portrays the demonic possession of a 19-year-old girl who unfortunately did not survive. It explores the conflict between Science Vs Faith. Would she have survived if she had continued her medication? Or was she truly demon-possessed?
The Conjuring Universe: This series revolves around the battle that paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren are involved in against the forces of darkness, the principalities of darkness.
Annabelle: The demonic doll Annabelle is another sinister creation that has terrified audiences.
