Mass shooters. COVID-19-related deaths. Hate crimes. Natural disasters. School shootings. The traumatic events that shape our collective consciousness are impossible to ignore. Following the daily news is now a risk to our mental health. As Straight Arrow News contributor Jordan Reid argues, we can’t avoid the constant media exposure to tragedy, but we can control when and how we watch it.

And we all know that the media profits off our attention. And what’s the best way to get attention? Make people scared. What I’m saying is not that we should turn a blind eye to injustice or brutality.

Of course not. I’m saying that as individuals, we have to weigh the importance of documentation and of knowledge and of understanding against the trauma of repeated exposure. Studies following terrorist events from September 11 to the Boston Marathon bombing have shown that children exposed to repeated media coverage of these events develop acute stress reactions and PTSD, even without personal knowledge of any victims. 

It’s not just children that this is happening to. Our brains and yes, particularly the still developing brains of our children are not set up for this constant onslaught of violent imagery. And we were absolutely suffering the consequences when it comes to our mental health. I feel it every day. I’m sure you do, too. I obviously think about this stuff a lot even more so now that my children are of the age where they have their own devices. 

I wonder how to compartmentalize consumption so that this triggering content is viewed under the right circumstances in the right context. There is a time and a place for watching the video of Tyre Nichols crying out for his mother. And over your morning coffee, it’s just that’s not it. 

So be activated, be aware of, be angry, but take care of yourself too.