Investigations by Egyptian security authorities have revealed shocking details in the murder of a child in the city of Ismailia, committed by his classmate who confessed that he had drawn inspiration from a violent video game he frequently played. What began as virtual entertainment turned into a real-life tragedy that has shaken Egyptian society.

Security sources indicated that the young suspect carried out the killing in a manner similar to what he had seen in the game, losing the ability to distinguish between on-screen combat and reality. His confession shed light on the dangerous psychological influence of some online games that glorify violence and portray killing as a form of heroism.

These are not just games

Experts in cybersecurity describe the incident as a clear warning about what they call “digital psychological programming.” Many modern games operate through behavioral conditioning systems that gradually reshape children’s perception. The reward mechanisms—granting points for acts of violence or aggression—instill the belief that power and brutality are the path to victory, a perception that becomes deeply harmful in the absence of parental guidance.

The problem goes even further. Some games include dangerous challenges such as “death challenges” or self-harm missions, and open secret chat rooms where children are lured or manipulated by anonymous users. Smart recommendation algorithms then push them toward darker, more aggressive content, creating an environment that normalizes violent behavior without parents even noticing.

This case revealed that danger no longer comes from the street alone but from the very screens children hold in their hands. A single game can become a classroom for violence, and without awareness and supervision, what seems like harmless fun can turn into a real-life nightmare.