Conscious news consumption
A topic that’s been on my mind a lot lately? Our over-consumption of news. Between staying abreast of the latest COVID developments to the Black Lives Matter movement to the upcoming US elections, we’re experiencing a lot of newsworthy events all at the same time.
Staying informed on what’s happening, around the world and locally, is a natural and healthy instinct. But it’s perhaps too easy to over-consume and feel drained after reading the news. So how do we make that shift? How do we consume responsibly?
All of the world's news, right at our fingertips
Before we get into the answers, let’s dive into the problem. In our modern digital age, it’s easy to get seduced by the on-demand nature of everything. News is no different. From Twitter to Facebook, iPhone apps to newsletter round-ups, there’s no shortage of ways to get our hands on information about what’s happening all around the globe at any given moment. When you look at our proximity to real-time updates and our temptation to consume, it’s no wonder we get so easily frustrated and overwhelmed.
Why we over-consume news
Do you ever feel compelled to read another headline, just one more headline, and then get stuck down a clickhole not realizing how you got there? We’ve all been down that road. So why is it so easy to get stuck in the endless scroll when it doesn’t bring us joy?
Beyond mere proximity to the news, we also feel compelled to consume for another reason. And while you might assume it’s simple—we want to stay informed—the true motivator is much stealthier. Kevin Barnhurt and John Nerone, journalists and authors who have explored our relationship to the news, explain it best:
Readers can feel as moved by reporters, columnists, political cartoonists, and letter-to-the-editor writers as they do by their next-door neighbors. Readers enter the newspaper environment willingly because it is both comfortable and unpredictable. They may get jostled and annoyed, but they feel smarter and better connected, if only because they know what to grumble about. In this sense, the news microsystem is like the weather, surrounding people, providing an outlet for discontents, and lubricating small talk. – Kevin Barnhurst and John Nerone
Part of why we feel this compulsive need to consume news is so we can arm ourselves with topics of conversation for upcoming social interactions—our own personal arsenal of facts and opinions.
However, without a filter or an off switch, our consumption can get out of hand—and quickly.
So how do we switch off? How do we decide what to consume and what to leave on the table?
Scaling back your news consumption
I believe that news is only helpful if it’s actionable. In your efforts to streamline your habits around news consumption, keep these top tips in mind:
Start local. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by reading news that makes you feel helpless, refocus your consumption to local news sources. This will help you feel empowered to affect change.
Monitor your emotions. While reading news, pay attention to how you feel. If you start to feel overwhelmed, helpless, sad, frustrated, take note and take a pause. Ask yourself if this is a good time to be consuming news, or if you should take a break and come back later.
Consider your sources. Remember that oftentimes, journalists are motivated to maximize clicks. This means clickbait-worthy titles, sensationalist angles, and choosing images that elicit an emotional reaction. Consuming your news with a critical eye can help you maintain control and keep from getting overwhelmed.
What are your top tips for consciously consuming news? What habits and methods have you found helpful to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed? If you feel so inclined, please share them in the comments so our whole community can work on improving our habits together.
