Domestic Violence and Drug Use Increase Due to New Technologies

The emergence and consolidation of new technologies leads to greater dependence of society on these new forms of social communication, mainly among adolescents.

Unfortunately, psychologists point out that these new formats of interaction have increased the amount of aggressive behavior in romantic relationships.

Domestic violence on 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 violence themselves through the use of social networks or mobile phone. Likewise, 35% claim to have received messages that have caused them fear and distress.

«The pattern of attacks 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 mobile phones. The aggressors usually ask for “proof”, locations and force the couple to stay connected,” says Barroso González, psychologist at the UAE for adolescent women victims of domestic violence of the General Directorate of Women in the Autonomous Community of Madrid.

“Young people have a very poor sense of risk and frequently do not conceive as risky behavior the consumption of drugs they acquire through the Internet or responding to a text message in which they are rebuked,” he 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 must value and take into consideration their feelings and sensations, whether they are sadness, discomfort or unrest, and allow themselves to be helped, whether or not they have the approval of those around them.

Online violence

Victims are frequently forced to consume narcotic substances or perform acts against their will. This control that they suffer can lead to adaptive disorders and depression, and even certain eating disorders, as an escape when trying to find some type of control over their body. 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 psychotropics

The use of the Internet by users who want to expand or explore their limits through the use of psychoactive substances has increased. The market that the Internet offers in this sense 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 can constitute crimes. The products that are being offered on the internet are synthetic, most of them are unknown, and others that would be difficult to find on the street. The web portals where they are sold are attractive, common, and despite everything, behind it there is an illegal scenario of addiction, 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 online simply, paying with a credit card or PayPal. Days later, the merchandise is delivered by courier to the home. It is not the same as buying illegal drugs, since this fact is criminal behavior. The problem transcends health, because attempts are made daily to regulate and prohibit these drugs, but it is useless because they change very quickly,” says Dengevic.

The typical consumer is a man between twenty and thirty years old with higher education who is eager to try new experiences altering his consciousness. Women and adolescents with no previous experience are increasingly growing among regular consumers. «It is vital to try to educate in order to prevent the use of illegal substances. The fact itself cannot be avoided in many cases, but with information and training on the matter you can contribute to responsible use. It would be interesting to start workshops or conferences where the risks of consuming these drugs are explained,” highlights Dengevic.

Finally, the potential abuse and risks associated with these drugs have been indicated, which make the diagnosis of intoxication by a particular substance difficult, since in many cases multiple consumption has grown. Furthermore, they entail great vulnerability for physical and mental health, since professionals often witness seizures, heart problems and even deaths.