The Psychology of Crimes

Social media algorithms usually boost shocking content. Whenever scrolling, we come across several crimes ranging from so-called normal domestic violence to murdering. Surprisingly, we don't get to hear such things once in a blue moon. It has become something we have to witness almost EVERY SINGLE DAY"! Isn't it draining and disturbing just because our brains are not built to process that much tragedy in a loop? For sure, it is.

To understand the circumstances that lead to committing of crimes, let's dive into the following factors:

1. Maltreatment: 

Several children across the world are a part of maltreatment whether it is the abuse, harassment, mistreatment by step-parents or others, an atmosphere of constant tension at homes, divorce of biological parents or something that has traumatized them and ended their childhood which they were supposed to enjoy. A continued exposure to such factors disturb their mental health to an extent that they become used to crimes. Everything feels normal because they've been witnessing this stuff for years.

2. Drug Addiction: 

People who are addicted to drugs usually come from poor or tense backgrounds. They do so when they're unable to cope up with the problems, life brings to them. So the only way they find is to start taking drugs to escape from the harsh realities of the world. Ultimately, this mental stress and addiction forces them to commit crimes in order to fulfill their requirements. Wether it's theft , robbery or murdering, they're ready to do everything they can just to afford the drugs they're used to.

3. Normalized Domestic Violence and Honour Killing:

A major portion of Pakistani population especially women are victims of domestic violence. This is specifically common in balochistan, kpk and tribal areas and generally in other provinces. They're physically and mentally tortured, emotionally broken, killed and sometimes buried alive. According to the culprits who're their fathers, husbands or brothers, they claim it as "Honour-Killing" and it's really normal. Shockingly, many organisations like Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) show that hundreds of such cases occur annually with zero legal conviction.

Additionally, most of the women are beaten by their own guardians Yet, many of these refuse to accept the fact that it's illegal both according to the constitution and religion itself. They can't even stand for themselves. 

4. Algorithmic Desensitization: 

We're never aware of what kind of content we'll come across whenever scrolling. It's not always the feed we're used to. Sometimes, our social media apps could show content we haven't seen before. That's what is actually shaping the young brains. There's a lot of content to see on various applications. While many are habitual of normal content, some are also exposed to harmful or violent content. That might be possible if either they're given a free-hand and their parents have no time to keep an eye on them or maybe they're a part of wrong crowd. With the passage of time, things start engraving into their minds. Consequently, they get involved in all this. This might sound a little strange but it's similar to the case that whenever you watch an action movie, your heart races to mirror the hero but unfortunately , the reality holds you back.

5. Educational Deficiencies & Absence of Critical Thinking:

The fundamental purpose of education is to equip young minds with a moral compass and analytical reasoning. However, Pakistan’s public schooling system heavily relies on an outdated system of rote memorization (ratta culture). Classrooms focus on just conduction of exams rather than developing media literacy, emotional intelligence, or independent problem-solving skills. When the education system fails to teach critical-thinking to children, it leaves them intellectually defenseless. Consequently, when these young individuals encounter radical ideologies (extreme politics), romanticized criminal lifestyles, or toxic peer groups on social media, they lack the analytical tools to question what they see. Without a solid educational foundation rooted in civic values and ethics, impressionable minds are easily manipulated into real-world deviance and criminal misconduct.