50% of Children Fear for Loved Ones' Safety
The decline in fear is largely attributed to news, movies, and computer entertainment fostering psychological defense mechanisms in children. German researchers, who have studied this phenomenon for over a decade, recently released their latest findings. The report states: "A child and his mother were walking their dog on the street when a criminal suddenly darted out from the roadside.He snatched the mother's handbag and shot her dead." The criminal fled through the park in broad daylight, leaving bloody footprints behind. Twelve-year-old Danila described this imagined scenario as her most terrifying fear.
She said her greatest worry was harm coming to her parents or siblings. Such fears are far from uncommon among German children.Nationwide, 59% of children aged 6 to 14 experience such fears. The second most common fear among children is sexual assault, with 50% expressing such concerns. Although the percentage of children experiencing fear and anxiety in daily life remains high, the spokesperson noted: "We have observed, and are quite surprised by, a significant reduction in children's fears. Such low figures have never been recorded before."
Only 40% of children now experience significant fear and anxiety, compared to nearly 60% a decade ago.
Psychologists caution that while this is positive news, it should not be taken lightly. The reduction in children's fears does not necessarily indicate improved living conditions. This is primarily due to a habituation effect—they have become desensitized over time.She explains that children are exposed daily to vast amounts of unsettling information through media. Over time, they become accustomed to it and lose their fear. On the other hand, this constant exposure to frightening content has also triggered intense fear in children, prompting them to gradually develop psychological coping mechanisms against it. Simply put, children learn to consciously dismiss the things and scenes that frighten them.
Children's drawings illustrate this phenomenon. For instance, 12-year-old Christina drew a boy and girl standing before a school gate. The boy brandished a wooden stick. "He always appears with a stick. He's beaten this girl multiple times because he knows her parents are wealthy. He constantly tries to extort money from her, but she dares not tell her family."
Fears are strongest among girls aged 6 to 11
Though they haven't personally experienced such incidents, children have repeatedly heard about them through news reports. The extent to which children are influenced by media coverage isn't solely related to age. It also depends on their level of education and the region where they live."Looking at the overall statistics, the strongest fear is found among girls aged 6 to 11 attending elementary and secondary schools in small towns of the new federal states."
Children in small towns generally lack the extensive care from relatives and friends that rural children often receive, leading them to frequently feel uneasy and fearful in their daily lives. However, the situation is different in large cities. Children in big cities learn to be self-reliant from an early age, resulting in significantly less fear.The extent to which parents' economic status affects children's psychology is also evident in the statistics. Data shows that in eastern regions, 50% of children worry about their parents losing their jobs and the family running out of money. In western Germany, only 40% of children express such concerns. Parental attention is crucial in helping children overcome fears Psychologists remind parents to pay close attention to their children's psychological well-being and assist them in overcoming feelings of fear and insecurity."Children often hesitate to express their fears directly. Instead, they may manifest them through other means. Commonly, they might complain of stomachaches, headaches, dizziness, or refuse to attend school. Parents must observe carefully, set aside time for conversations, and discern what truly troubles and frightens their child."