The lack of censorship on OTT platforms has led to an increase in bold and semi-nude scenes in romantic movies, along with frequent explicit language. Parents are often shocked by sudden explicit dialogues and bedroom scenes while watching with their children

EKALAVYA MALLEPALLI | Hyderabad 

The shocking case of a 39-year-old former army man who killed his wife and cooked her before dumping them into a lake at Jillelaguda in Hyderabad, has raised serious concerns about the influence of OTT platforms and digital media.

Investigations revealed that the accused watched crime web series to learn how to mutilate a body and dispose of it. He also used YouTube videos to study methods for dissolving flesh and bones with chemicals and suppressing odors to avoid suspicion. This chilling act has sparked debates about the unintended consequences of crime-based content, which often provides detailed methods that can inspire criminal behavior.

A comprehensive study analyzing 25 reports from 2017 to 2024 has been published in the International Journal of Indian Psychology on March 31, 2024. The report highlights the adverse effects of OTT (Over-The-Top) content on society, indicating a rise in crimes and sexual violence linked to the consumption of such content. The study suggests that the nature of OTT content may be contributing to these negative societal trends.

Psychological perspective on the influence of media

Psychologist Siddharth states, “For as long as societies have existed, barbaric acts have existed. We, as a civilization, often accept sorrow and suffering as inevitable, but they can be predicted and monitored. However, the fast-paced media we consume today, especially OTT content, can be over-stimulating and overwhelming.

Social media and other digital platforms are directly proportional to impatience, hindered productivity, and instant information availability. These factors inherently make consumers irritable, inconsiderate, and exposed to the darker sides of society, as seen in this horrific act.”

Kavita Panyam, Counseling Psychologist and Founder of Mind Suggest Wellness Centre, Secunderabad, elaborates on the psychological impact of OTT platforms: “There is a scope for people to be affected by OTT content, especially those who have faced trauma or instability in their lives. Many individuals, including children, tend to connect deeply with fictional characters and their behavior patterns.

For instance, children raised in restless or chaotic households may unconsciously mimic these patterns. What we see, hear, and watch has a profound influence on our mentality, and OTT platforms can amplify this effect.”

She further explains how emotions like anger, when unresolved, can escalate into destructive behaviors: “Anger, when left unchecked, turns into rage—a constant state of aggression fueled by adrenaline and cortisol. If these emotions aren’t channeled productively, they can lead to destructive actions like breaking things, harming others, or worse, committing violent crimes. Hurt people hurt others, she added.”

The lack of censorship on OTT platforms has led to an increase in bold and semi-nude scenes in romantic movies, along with frequent explicit language. Parents are often shocked by sudden explicit dialogues and bedroom scenes while watching with their children. Horror and suspense thrillers have also crossed limits with graphic crime scenes, depicting brutal murders, dismemberment, and gruesome body disposal methods.

To mitigate these risks, Kavita Panyam suggests that parents and society adopt proactive measures. “Children need positive role models and stable environments. Activities like regular physical exercise, breathing exercises, and socializing and a day without social media and electronic devices can help release pent-up emotions in healthier ways. Parents must behave responsibly in front of their children to ensure they grow up in peaceful and constructive environments.”