Is News Addiction becoming a thing?
Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
As many as one in six folks may exhibit signs of 'severely problematic' news consumption, akin to an addiction-like state.
Research indicates that humans with a news addiction are more likely to experience anxiety, stress, and compromised physical health.
News addiction can manifest as a deep preoccupation with news stories, to the extent that it dominates one's waking thoughts and disrupts daily life, including sleep patterns.
Nowadays, some folks may find themselves increasingly absorbed in the news, struggling to disengage even when it interferes with work, school, or personal relationships.
This absorption is characterized by a constant need to stay informed, often at the expense of other important aspects of one’s life…
Dr. Bryan McLaughlin, the study's lead author, explains that witnessing alarming global events in the news can trigger a constant state of high alert in some folks, heightening their surveillance motives and painting the world as a dark and perilous place.
This heightened state can lead to a vicious cycle where humans become increasingly obsessed with the news, checking for updates around the clock in an attempt to alleviate emotional distress. However, this behavior ultimately exacerbates their emotional turmoil and disrupts other aspects of their lives.
How the study was conducted
In a survey of 1,100 people about their mental and physical health and news consumption habits, researchers found that those with problematic news consumption (16.5%) reported worse mental and physical health.
Dr. McLaughlin emphasizes the importance of media literacy, suggesting that while it's essential for people to stay informed, they should strive for a healthier relationship with the news. In many cases, treatment for addictions and compulsive behaviors involves completely stopping the problematic behavior, as moderation can be challenging.
Regarding problematic news consumption, research indicates that individuals may choose to reduce or stop their news consumption if they perceive it is negatively affecting their mental health. However, this decision comes with the trade-off of potentially missing important information crucial for health and safety, which can also impact the health of a democracy that relies on an informed citizenry.
Dr. McLaughlin also highlights news outlets' role in producing content that can contribute to problematic consumption habits.
Economic pressures, technological advancements and the 24-hour news cycle, have incentivized journalists to prioritize 'newsworthy' stories that capture consumers' attention. For some folks, the conflict and drama in these stories grab their attention and foster a harmful relationship with the news.
The study underscores that the commercial pressures facing news media not only jeopardize the goal of maintaining a healthy democracy but also pose risks to individuals' health.
Be well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
McLaughlin, B., Gotlieb, M. R., & Mills, D. J. (2023). Caught in a Dangerous World: Problematic News Consumption and Its Relationship to Mental and Physical Ill-Being. Health Communication, 38(12), 2687–2697. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2022.2106086
