Trigger warnings

[AnyoneWhoHasAHeart]

It seems every other thread on MN either has a “TW”, or or some poster demanding a “trigger warning” for some spurious reason.

I’ve seen threads where a poster has talked about spiders where a poster has demanded a “trigger warning”, similarly a thread about kids being sick “you should put a trigger warning in the title because of phobias.

Most recent threads are about war and bad parenting.

The word “triggering” has become meaningless. And there really is no need for “trigger warnings” other than for threads about e.g. sexual abuse.

If talking about spiders or vomit is “triggering” then maybe people need to step away from parenting forums.

I quite agree.

I despise the word ‘triggered’ and/or ‘trigger warning’
Its a naff modern day manifestation of people’s weak emotional capabilities….I think.

But I’m happy to to be told that it’s a real and necessary thing.

Yes trigger warnings should be reserved for those things that are serious, SA and miscarriages/child death.

Everything else, just exit the thread.

Can there be a trigger warning for trigger warnings?

Agree, trouble is people are quite pathetic.

Your thread likely needs a trigger warning, because it will trigger anxiety about trigger subjects to someone, you realise that 😂😂

It sounds like you're easily.. er, provoked?

Did you mean this thread to be ironic?

Your wrong, There are days where I have to use every ounce of energy to get dressed and walk out the door and do a full day of work.. That work day includes a lunch break and I should be able to spend that break scrolling on my phone.. If I see the word TRIGGER.. S/A or Domestic Violence or Suicide I know to steer clear. Bring sensitive to certain things doesn’t make a person weak, something has probably happened in there life and being reminded of it can be awful.. Thank god for trigger warnings.

YANBU if I see a thread and think oh god- I just step away. It’s not difficult.

I think it shows people becoming more considerate of wider society. If i were you I'd role my eyes and carry on scrolling.

Agreed.

I saw one on Goodreads the other day for 'Underage smoking' ffs.

I put yabu because it's not every other thread but other than that yanbu, the younger generations demand constant protection from anything upsetting. I think trigger warnings should be reserved for discussions about suicide or sexual abuse only (realising I'm opening a can of worms by accepting any trigger warnings at all though!)

Some types of content absolutely merit trigger warnings:

• suicide
• eating disorders
• cancer
• miscarriage and infertility
• domestic abuse

etc. Particulary if the topic is not clearly signalled in the thread title.

Trigger warnings for conversation about spiders (unless featuring a close-up photograph), certain types of low level anxiety and school dust-ups don't merit a TW and are, as a PP suggested, indicative of emotional weakness.

The most annoying trigger warnings are those that are added to thread titles that already make the disturbing subject matter totally evident, eg:

A huge great spider just ran up my leg!!! TW: spiders running up legs

Irritated.

To compare a bit of a fear of spiders or vomit is nowhere near as serious as a thread regarding child sexual abuse or murder/domestic violence.

And to think that the two merit the same kind of ‘trigger” is highly offensive to people who have been through serious things in their lives.

I think that reading something that may trigger you can actually help. It shows other people in the same position and can actually be therapeutic in that you are not alone and potentially give advice/empathy.

You really think that s[iders merit the same kind of warning as domestic violence? Really?

You’re wrong.

I have every sympathy with anyone who has experienced child sexual abuse or DV or who has lost a child.

Spiders are a fact of life.

As is vomit. Especially on a parenting forum.

Who are you to decide what others find difficult to read?

I think it runs the risk that people will no longer be able to have a discussion about anything because everything offends someone these days. And even if it’s not offensive, someone has to pretend to be.

We are losing the art of actual conversation because this generation can’t handle actual discussion without finding some reason to be upset.

So maybe not have discussion forums or social media or conversations. Best all live in silent bubble so that someone doesn’t get upset by triviality.

Nobody’s forcing you to read it.

It’s for you to decide what you find difficult to read. It’s not for me to never have a discussion about anything because it might harm your sensitivities.

Spiders are part of nature. If you’re offended by discussion about them that’s on you..

If you’re afraid of vomit then presumably you didn’t have children because <shock horror> children vomit, in which case having a child would be more triggering than reading a thread, in which case why would you come on to a parenting forum?

You have to chose to be offended by something that's actually pretty benign and not in any way designed to offend anyone. So you got irritated? Big deal.

I feel embarrassed when I talk about being triggered nowadays. I have cptsd and it definitely wasn’t a well used thing when I was first dealing with it. Also who knows what will trigger someone? We would have to warn for everything.

I was replying to @MyUmberSealwho I think was suggesting that all trigger warnings are a sign of a weak mind. Of course there’s a difference between domestic violence and spiders, I don’t think you’ll find many people that disagree with that view!

YANBU - threads about vomiting etc don’t need a trigger warning. If they are overused they will end useless

You can just ignore a trigger warning if you don’t deem yourself to be affected, but what is the issue? That is just annoys you? Can you elaborate the impact?