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Professor Sarah Ferdin, a post-trauma expert and head of the School of Social Work at Bar Ilan University, explains that the Ministry of Health’s warnings are based on scientific studies. A thousand subjects, “she says.
A 2019 study in 2019 Journal of Traumatic Stress Examine the effect of exposure to news broadcasts (terrorist and disasters) on post-trauma symptoms among adults and children. The meta-analysis, which included data from 43 previous studies (including more than 31,000 participants), has found a significant relationship between recurrent viewing of difficult events and the appearance of post-trauma and anxiety symptoms.
The repetitive viewing is significantly affecting us
According to Professor Friedman, one of the most problematic aspects of watching each of this type is their repeated broadcast. “It’s hard to avoid broadcasting, but you can exercise discretion and control the exposure level,” she emphasizes. Harmful content. ”
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Another study conducted at the Lev Hasharon Mental Health Center in 2024 and published in Stress and Health-Check the effect of prolonged media exposure during the “Iron Sword” period on mental health professionals. The study revealed that workers with a history of trauma have experienced higher levels of anxiety and stress, and that prolonged media exposure was associated with secondary trauma and an increase in symptoms of anxiety.
Prof. Friedman notes that watching these videos can lead to depression, post-trauma symptoms and anxiety. However, she emphasizes that “most people will not open post-trauma, both during periods of war and after exposure to harsh content, but because in this case we have control over the level of exposure, it is better to use it wisely. Less compared to repeated viewing of hard records. ”
“The younger the child, the higher the likelihood that he does not fully understand what he sees, which may affect him more. The higher the exposure – the higher the risk of negative emotional effects”
Prof. Sarah Frediran, Post-trauma expert Bar Ilan
And what about the children? “The younger the child, the higher the likelihood that he does not fully understand what he sees, which may affect him. The higher the exposure – the risk of negative emotional effects,” explains Prof. Friedman. “Therefore, it is important for parents to exercise discretion, check how exposed to these children, will understand how they interpret what they have seen, and make sure they are able to deal with the information in a balanced manner.”
According to her, most of us are preferable to watch the repetitions of the kidnappers to their families, rather than focusing on the initial documentation of their departure from Gaza. However, there are no specific elements that anyone should avoid, because each person responds differently. “The effect is completely individual – there are those who experience triggers following what they see, while others will respond differently,” she explains, “and still, if we have the opportunity to reduce exposure, we should do it.”