Many people now avoid reading the news first thing in the morning, not because nothing is happening, but because too much is happening at once.
For many, the day begins with reaching for a phone, only to be confronted immediately with wars, economic uncertainty, natural disasters and human tragedy. News consumption no longer feels like a simple need to stay informed, but rather a burden that starts from the first moments of the day.
According to Ali Jasemi, a lecturer in psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, the experience is comparable to standing beneath a constant “waterfall” of negative information.
Data from the Reuters Institute’s 2025 Digital News Report shows that 69% of Canadians now avoid the news at least occasionally. Globally, that figure stands at around 40%, the highest level ever recorded. Respondents cite similar reasons – news worsens their mood, leaves them feeling overwhelmed and creates a sense of helplessness.
A built‑in survival mechanism
Jasemi explains that news fatigue is not a sign of indifference or weakness but a predictable reaction of a brain exposed to an environment it was not designed to handle.
The human brain has evolved to detect threats. Long before smartphones and media platforms, survival depended on reacting quickly to danger. A sound in the bushes could signal a threat. Paying attention to negative stimuli was essential.
This is what psychologists call “negativity bias” – the tendency of the brain to prioritise negative information, process it more quickly and remember it more clearly.
The problem today is that the brain operates in the same way, but the environment has changed dramatically. Instead of dealing with localised threats, people are exposed daily to crises unfolding across the entire planet.
Problematic news consumption
Research published in Nature Human Behaviour analysed more than 105,000 real news headlines viewed almost six million times. The findings were clear – each additional negative word increased the likelihood of a reader clicking, while positive wording had the opposite effect.
Other studies show that people have stronger physical reactions to negative news than to positive stories. In other words, the body reacts before the mind even decides whether the threat is relevant.
Researchers describe this pattern as “problematic news consumption,” where exposure leads to overengagement, emotional dysregulation and disruption of daily functioning.
A 2022 study found that 17% of adults in the United States exhibited severe levels of this behaviour. Among them, 61% reported feeling significantly distressed, compared with just 6% among those without such patterns.
The impact can be even more pronounced for minority groups, who may see repeated coverage involving individuals with whom they identify, increasing the psychological burden.
Finding a balance
Experts stress that the solution is not to avoid the news altogether. A functioning democracy depends on informed citizens. At the same time, misinformation is already a growing source of stress, meaning disengaging entirely from reliable information can worsen the problem.
Jasemi suggests a more balanced approach. Limiting news consumption to specific times of the day can reduce feelings of overload. Instead of constant exposure through social media, reading a well‑structured, in‑depth article can provide clearer understanding with less emotional strain.
It is also important to distinguish between information and action. Research on stress shows that the gap between knowing about a problem and being able to act on it is a major source of distress. Even small, realistic actions can reduce feelings of helplessness.
Finally, attention should be paid to so‑called “rage bait” – content designed to provoke anger and maximise engagement on social media. Recognising such tactics helps create distance from emotionally manipulative material.
News is unlikely to become less intense. However, our relationship with it can become more conscious and controlled. The brain may not be designed to absorb an endless stream of global threats, but it is capable of adapting – and protecting itself.
Source: ygeiamou.gr
