Kristen Gyles | ‘Know more’ pressure to keep up with bad news

One of the most memorable moments of the enquiry into the 2010 Tivoli Incursion was when a former minister of government stated publicly that they did not read the newspapers or watch the news because it was simply too disturbing. Many were themselves disturbed to hear what was seen as a bare-faced confession of cluelessness, especially from someone who would have at some point held some responsibility over national affairs.

But aside from the issue of ministerial duties and their implicit requirement to stay ‘in the know’, I’m at the point now where I get it.

I realise that I’ve been subconsciously tuning out from the news when certain stories are being aired. Based on my own sensitivities, I find myself moving out of the earshot of news reports relating to violent crimes, people going missing, and buildings burning down whenever the television is on. I also find myself scrolling past headlines that clearly relate to certain types of crime when using my phone. At first it was not deliberate, but now that I have picked up on it, I continue to do it purposely.

The horrible truth, though, is that there is no way to escape reality even when you want to. Even while employing this approach, one is bound to find oneself trapped in an environment where yet another news report of a slaughtered child or firebombed house is being discussed in detail.

There is a perceived need to be in the know at all times because as a responsible citizen, you have a supposed duty to keep up with everything branded as ‘news’ – from every triviality that takes place in Parliament to gruesome stories of heartless and cold-blooded murders. But what can one do when consistent exposure to crime news is affecting one’s mental health negatively? Affecting one’s sleep? One’s mood?

SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS

One of the most significant impacts this type of news is having on our mental health is that it triggers anxiety. Our natural instinct is to be on the look-out for threats and to take special note of things that pose harm, but when we are inundated with real-life stories of people like ourselves being found dead in gullies or simply going missing, these instincts become amplified. The world portrayed in the news can sometimes appear as a grim, perilous place, where danger lurks around every corner. As we read about crimes happening in our communities or around the world, our minds often go into overdrive, subconsciously assessing the potential dangers in our own lives. This perpetual state of vigilance leads us into heightened states of anxiety even when we are not actually at risk. It’s exhausting.

Recently, I scrolled into a TikTok video of a woman issuing a pensive and serious warning: “Ladies, if you do not want to get raped, robbed, kidnapped, sex-trafficked (which I know you don’t), watch this video and share this with a girl you love because we all need to hear this.”

The video went on to list some very good protective measures women should take while out on the road, including but not limited to walking with Mace or a taser, not being afraid to utilise the ‘second amendment right’ and parking at considerable distance from vans and other big vehicles when entering plazas or large establishments.

The first comment I saw under the post read “I’m tired of this constant fear …”.

While it is important to keep aware and to stay vigilant, the sentiment is very relatable. It is hard keeping up with the anxiety of having to mark faces while on the road and having to watch your back at all times. Furthermore, some of the fears we eventually develop are as irrational as they are crippling.

DEPRESSIVE STATE

Sometimes, all this fear eventually leads into a depressive state. Ever heard someone slowly and sadly bemoaning how horrible the world is and eventually just slink into an assertion that they no longer want to be in it? The comprehensive coverage of the worst humanity has to offer can leave us feeling overwhelmed and disheartened as if there is no goodness left in the world.

Moreover, desensitisation is a big issue for many people. In the same way that the repeated exposure to violent or disturbing content in movies and music can deaden our sensitivities to behaviours we once found abhorrent, a daily diet of very sad and bad news of heartless crimes can numb our emotional responses, making us less empathetic and compassionate. This desensitisation not only affects how we view the world, but also how we interact with others.

So what can we do to protect our mental health in the face of this deluge of crime and the need to keep up with what’s happening? Some people might just need to limit their exposure to reported news, generally. Others may be able to wade through the influx of new information and stop their ears to the things they find disturbing. Perhaps there are others who are altogether unaffected. We all have varying levels of sensitivity to crime-related content, and we should all become aware of our individual tolerance thresholds.

Being informed is important, but there’s no need to immerse ourselves in every sordid detail of every crime. Setting boundaries and taking regular breaks from the news can help maintain a healthy perspective as well. It’s okay not to know some things, and it’s okay to skip out on conversations surrounding topics that are upsetting or unsettling.

Kristen Gyles is a free-thinking public affairs opinionator. Send feedback to kristengyles@gmail.com.