Domestic violence and drug use is on the rise due to new technologies.
Domestic violence and drug use has increased due to new technologies.
The emergence and consolidation of new technologies leads to a greater dependence of society on these new forms of social communication, mainly among adolescents.
Unfortunately, psychologists point out that these new formats of interrelation have increased the amount of aggressive behavior in romantic relationships.
Domestic violence in social networks
In this regard, several studies carried out by the Government Delegation for Gender Violence estimate that more than 60% of adolescents have suffered some type of gender-based violence through the use of social networks or telephone through the use of social networks or cell phones. Likewise, 35% claim to have received messages that have caused them fear and anguish.
"The pattern of aggression among young people and adolescents remains identical to years ago. The important thing is to "control" the partner and this is easier through social networks and cell phones. The aggressors usually ask for "proof", locations and force the partner to stay connected," comments Barroso González, psychologist at the UAE for adolescent women victims of domestic violence of the General Directorate for Women in the Autonomous Community of Madrid.
"Young people have a very poor sense of risk and often do not conceive as risky behaviors the consumption of drugs that they acquire through the Internet or answering a text message in which she is scolded," she warns. "In our clinic we try to make two essential points clear to young women: that an insult is violence, that no one deserves to receive it and no one has the right to hurl it; and that they should value and take into consideration their feelings and sensations, whether they are sad, upset or uneasy, and let themselves be helped, whether or not they have the approval of their environment".
Online violence
Victims are often forced to consume narcotic substances or to perform acts against their will. The control they suffer can lead to adaptive disorders and depression, and even certain eating disorders, as an escape route in an attempt to find some kind of control over their bodies. In a smaller percentage, they may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is the most common addiction in these cases.
The network, facilitator of psychotropic drugs
There has been an increase in the use of the network by users who want to expand or explore their limits through the use of psychoactive substances. The market that the Internet offers in this regard is vast: legal and illegal products, addictive or not. In the words of Dr. Elena Dengevic, "these are new patterns of behavior on the Internet that may constitute crimes. The products being offered on the Internet are synthetic, most of them unknown, and others that would be difficult to find on the street. The web portals where they are sold are attractive, common, and in spite of everything, behind it all, there is an illegal, addiction scenario, which the authorities are pursuing day and night".
In this sense, and thanks to the fact that some drugs are legal in many countries, "they can be purchased through the web simply by paying with credit card or PayPal. Days later, the goods are delivered by courier to the home. It is not the same as buying illegal drugs, as this is criminal behavior. The problem goes beyond health issues, because there are daily attempts to regulate and prohibit these drugs, but it is useless because they change very quickly," says Dengevic.
The typical user is a man in his twenties or thirties with a higher education who is eager to try new experiences by altering his consciousness. altering their consciousness. Women and teenagers with no previous experience are increasingly becoming regular consumers. "It is vital to try to educate in order to prevent the use of illegal substances. The fact itself can not be avoided on many occasions, but with information and training on the subject can contribute to responsible use. It would be interesting to initiate workshops or conferences where the risks of consuming these drugs are made explicit," Dengevic points out.
Finally, the potential abuse and risks associated with these drugs have been pointed out, which make it difficult to diagnose intoxication by a particular substance, since in many cases multi-consumption has increased. Moreover, they carry a great vulnerability for physical and mental health, as professionals often witness seizures, Heart problems and even deaths.
(Updated at Apr 12 / 2024)