Many of us know the feeling. You open a news site, perhaps at your work desk, in bed with your phone, while eating breakfast, and start scrolling through the headlines. Instantly you’re bombarded with a whirlwind of bad news: war, terrorism, natural disasters, racism, the cost-of-living crisis. Dread sweeps over you and your stress levels rise. For the rest of the day, you feel anxious over the state of the world. 

Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Bad News? 

According to psychologists, yes there is. ‘News fatigue’, the feeling of exhaustion or stress caused by excessive exposure to news, is on the rise. A 2024 digital news report  found 41 per cent of Australians experience news fatigue, and 68 per cent actively avoid the news. Young people are most affected, as a recent study of 800 university students from Iran and the US found that ‘doomscrolling’ or spending excessive time-consuming negative news was linked to feelings of existential anxiety, distrust of others, and despair. 

So why does the news make us feel so overwhelmed?  

One major factor is the way we consume content. Before digital media, the amount of news available was limited to traditional channels, so you would watch a 30-minute news slot or close the newspaper and be done for the day.  

Today, we have access to an unrelenting 24-hour news cycle that never sleeps. Social media’s never-ending scroll function is designed to keep us tuned in for longer, extending our exposure to news from around the world. 

Smartphones have also changed the type of stories we consume. The ease of filming means we’re more exposed to distressing content, with images of death and violence easily available. In some cases, this can lead to what psychologists call ‘vicarious trauma’—when you’re affected by repeated exposure to a distressing event. 

Even if you don’t experience this type of trauma, consuming distressing news can negatively impact your mental health. Feeling sad after reading a news story isn’t a bad thing; it’s a natural response to seeing a distressing situation. The problem is that on social media or news feeds, you can’t predict when this will happen.  

Feeling sad after reading a news story isn’t a bad thing; its a natural response to seeing a distressing situation.

Constantly scrolling between horrific images of war and photos of your friend’s birthday can put your brain into detection mode, which increases anxiety.  

Some signs that your news consumption might be causing stress are: 

  • Constantly thinking about the information you’ve consumed 
  • Your sadness or anxiety doesn’t pass after you’ve stopped reading the news 
  • Having nightmares 
  • Feeling hopeless about the state of the world 
  • Being unable to function at work or in relationships  
  • Feeling like you want to avoid the news altogether. 

How To Protect Yourself From News Anxiety 

Sometimes we can feel guilty about turning away from a news story, but it’s worth remembering that watching a video multiple times or reading minute-by-minute updates of a natural disaster isn’t going to help anyone.  

As God’s people, we also know that he is sovereign over all things, even when the world is in chaos. King David took refuge in the Lord in times of strife, writing in Psalm 11, ‘The Lord is on his heavenly throne, he observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.’.  

There’s comfort in knowing that our all-powerful, loving God sees everything. With this truth in mind, managing your news consumption isn’t irresponsible or selfish; it’s a way to trust God with the future, and strengthen your ability to care for people in the long term. 

Managing your news consumption isn’t irresponsible or selfish; it’s a way to trust God with the future, and strengthen your ability to care for people in the long term.

Here are some tips that can help you consume news while taking care of your mental health. 

  1. Take regular breaks 

If you’re in the habit of constantly checking news sites, psychologists suggest setting aside news-free periods in your day. You could spend the time doing something that nourishes you and reminds you of God’s blessings. Alternatively, set a timer for 30 minutes when you read the news, so you don’t overdo it. 

  1. Set boundaries on your news feed 

Try limiting your news consumption to a handful of trusted and reputable sources, so you’re not overwhelmed by too many stories. If you consume news through your social media feed, try curating the media outlets you follow and avoid suggested content that pops up on your feed, so you can have more control over what you see.  

  1. Check in with your children and teens 

Children and youth are increasingly being exposed to distressing images and videos. If you’re a parent or carer, check in with your kids for signs of news anxiety, and give them an opportunity to ask questions they might have. Here’s an article on how to approach confronting topics like poverty and hunger with kids. 

  1. Turn to God in prayer 

Don’t forget about God’s wonderful promise to hear us when we pray. Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:6 to ‘in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ Take your worries about the world to God in prayer, knowing that He is in control of all things.   

  1. Focus on what you can do to help 

Ask yourself what you can do, in your sphere of influence, to help those in need. If you’re stuck for ideas, there’s plenty of ways to do your part with Baptist World Aid. You could give to our Disaster Action fund, buy a Better World Gift card, or shop more ethically. You could also join the Safer World for All campaign, and join Australian Christians in advocating for an increase in our foreign aid budget. 

We may feel helpless about the world’s problems, but the reality is that everyone can do something to help and taking small actions can alleviate the overwhelm and fatigue as we actively contribute to making the world better.