Recently, it seems as though our news cycle has been cluttered with a barrage of negativity. While much media coverage is of realistically negative events, others are often painted as more catastrophic than in reality, often utilizing clickbait and exaggerated headlines to encourage views. Furthermore, many media sites prioritize such negative information. This certainly has a place, but to avoid unfavourable effects on our mental health, it must be offset with contrasting stories.
A more equal media presentation, with an increase in positive news stories, can give rise to a plethora of potential benefits. Uplifting reporting provides a more balanced worldview and can reduce stress and anxiety, benefitting the health and happiness of the viewer. Consumption of optimistic content helps one to stay engaged with current events in a meaningful way, rather than be caught in a cycle of clickbait and over-negativity. It can provide inspiration and direction to make a positive difference in the world; if our news cycle leads us to believe the worst in everything, what reason do we have to work for progress?
While the presence of negative news stories is essential for making informed decisions, an overemphasis on grim headlines presents many consequences. It can cause heightened anxiety, and encourage a more pessimistic worldview as a whole, extending to realms beyond media.
This issue has grown increasingly prevalent with our modern-day use of technology, particularly among youth. With news sources available at our fingertips, youth are constantly connected to the workings of the world around us, and thus more regularly view continually negative headlines. Moreover, there has been a meteoric rise in the quantity of possible information sources, including accessing less verified information from websites, podcasts, and social media.
Some have claimed that negative-leaning coverage works as a better agent to motivate action on social issues. While this may hold true in some circumstances, positive news stories hold surprising motivational power. Research from Southampton University (2023) revealed that “positive news encouraged students to take positive actions” by focusing on what one should do, rather than what one shouldn’t.
Another solution to this issue is to more commonly present solutions in tandem with the presented problem. As a consumer of news, one could also try to focus on more positive stories themselves. For youth, though, the issues caused by negative news come at a critical stage in our lives, where maintaining an optimistic worldview is paramount. It is critical we keep youth engaged in the news cycle, and motivated to make positive change, to craft a world we look forward to living in.
Kilian Jungen is a student at Stelly's Secondary School in Saanichton.
