Feeling so scared and sad after seeing latest stories in media

[Overpaintedlady]

Does anyone else feel bombarded with negative news in the media lately?! Seems like so much murder, child abuse, violence and tragic incidents like suicide occurring. I feel scared, sad and incredibly anxious about stepping outside the house at the moment, particularly with my toddler son.

What on earth is going on lately?! I keep hearing of children being killed, it’s so frightening.

Yes, absolutely! I have been feeling the exact same way, especially with the murder where the father and daughter were shot.
Why is there such cruelty in the world.

I am the same as you, very hesitant when leaving the house now

But I have done what a PP has said and turned off the news, the toxicity of it really impacts your mental health.

@godmum56

yup, I do the same. The way i see it is that if watching or reading distressing things would help the victims and sufferers in any way or stop it happening to others, then i would do it in a heartbeat....but it doesn't. It doesn't help them, it doesn't help me. I don't watch documentary programs about abuse or cruelty either. I will donate to charities, support the action groups that I agree with, do my bit to stop doing things that lead to global warming, care for wildlife and so on....but just watch stuff that is depressing and frightening where watching doesn't help, then no I won't do it.

^ This.

As long as you're not planning to murder your child I don't think there is too much to worry about. The sad fact is most of these cases are family-related.

Switch off the news. Get rid of notifications or news apps on your phone.

Go have a picnic in the park or to the playground or something else soothing that doesn't bring you into contact with more news.

There's always bad things happening and a lot of the time we don't he'll ourselves or others by focussing on it.

Take care.

@Needmorechocolate

I feel the same. I think everything has been so focused on covid for so long that it is quite shocking to be reminded again of the other awful things that are happening in the world. Taking a break from reading/listening to it and turning off news alerts etc is definitely good advice. *@ICantFindTheBuffet* I like the idea of following good news sites, any you recommend?

On Instagram I follow upworthy and goodnews_movement. It's global but it's nice to see happy moments! Would be nice to find local good news sites though.

I took a break from watching the news when my husband died and it made such a difference. I grew up believing I had to stay in touch with the news but I do think news now is extreme audience chasing. They could choose to make it much less terrifying and less focused on cruelty but they don't.

The world is no more dangerous than it has been- it’s the impact of social media and 24-7 news… there have always been murders (just think of the Yorkshire ripper, the moors murders… London bombings, Manchester, the 1970s were rife with bombings and terror attacks in England).
But at the time the news reporting would
Be delayed… now with social media you can literally hear about offences in graphic details within 15/20 mins.

The world isn’t a scary place, nor anymore dangerous…. Just take a break from social media!!

@MrsTerryPratchett

It was always there. Your toddler just makes it more obvious for you.

In fact the number of child murders, and I suspect CSA, remains fairly constant over time. Barring terrible events like Dunblane.

Agreed.

In fact there were plenty of crimes against children when there was little opportunity to spread awareness though media at all.

The world hasn’t changed, you are just more aware of it because of your child. It’s completely natural as you want to protect those that are most precious to you.

As much as it is tempting to stay at home in your own little bubble forever. Long term that can do more harm than good.

The world has always been a scary and dangerous place. All we can do is try our best to minimise the risks as much as possible.

I also agree with others, don’t pay too much attention to the news. Delete apps/ turn notifications off.

Step away from the news and social media and focus on the real world and this special time with your child.

I truly believe that most people are good because that’s what life has shown me (approaching 60 too quickly ).

We've made a conscious decision to stop watching the news. It really got us down over the pandemic with the constant doom mongering, and it's made me feel a lot better.

I read newspapers online so you can be more selective in what you read.

I haven't watched the news for years. I might catch the odd headline on my phone but that's it. It's all too depressing. Also i don't think we're ever given the full story on the news.