Traumatizing Impressions of Indo-Pak Conflict on Young Social Media User in Azad Kashmir: The Mediating Role of Perceived Threat / War Phobia

Abstract

Social media is an integral part of everyone's life today and for younger generations, it is the primary source of information and news. However, the sheer volume of content which is being shared on platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram with violent and/or conflict elements is having a profound effect on their users. In particular, Indo-Pak war related posts, videos and images can exacerbate distress, fear and insecurity among people residing in border areas like Azad Kashmir. Hence, the present study was conducted using qualitative focus group discussion design to explore the traumatizing effect of information related to the Indo-Pak war on the young social media users of Azad Kashmir. The focus group guide was designed with the help of previous literature and with the guidance of experts and three groups of participants were asked for their data (students at the matriculation level, intermediate level and university level). All discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed then analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The findings led us to the following themes: traumatizing impact (depression, difficulty with concentration, emotional distress), aggression and violence (anger, helplessness, hopelessness), perceived threat and war-phobia (fear for future war, insecurity, feeling unsafe), coping strategies (faith, social support, digital avoidance). The results reinforce that young people in Azad Kashmir have to deal with a unique “double exposure” of physical insecurity of being in the vicinity of the border, and the psychological burden of relentless war propaganda in the digital world. The findings of the study have several implications for educators, policy makers, and mental health professionals, and highlight the need for the promotion of media literacy campaigns, mental health support in schools, and awareness raising about the potentially traumatic effects of digital media usage. Although the study is small, it sets the stage for the future studies, and helps to build the knowledge about the role of digital conflict exposure in the development of fear and distress in conflict-affected societies.