Last weekend, The Pitt News Editorial Board sat at its regularly scheduled Sunday meeting, trying to land on a topic for this very editorial. Suggestions flew around, with editors offering topics like the war with Iran, the rise of AI data centers and the worst spring for the job market since the COVID-19 pandemic. After circling the current events drain for a while, the team finally came to a consensus — we are tired, and we’re not the only ones who feel this way.
Media burnout, also known as media fatigue or media overload, is the sense of psychological, emotional or mental exhaustion caused by constant exposure to content, news or social media. In today’s digital society, there is always a new comparison to make, a terrifying headline to read or a looming event to worry about.
Social media is largely to blame for this now growing sense of media burnout — in a 2020 study, over half of the participating adults reported getting news from social media channels “often” or “sometimes.” Given that digital content across social media platforms is seemingly endless, there is truly never a shortage of negative news to consume, internalize or stress over.
According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, a whopping 66% of Americans claimed to have felt worn out by the amount of news available to them and a mere 32% said they liked the amount of news they were getting. In the past, news was something people read once or twice a day, not every time they opened their phone. With so many different headlines to focus on, it can feel difficult to concentrate or determine which current events we should really channel our energy into.
Luckily, there are some strategies we can use to mitigate media fatigue. Psychologists with a specialization in the impacts of media on human behavior recommend limiting the amount of screen time each day, a habit that could contribute to individuals processing news more efficiently. Another suggestion is for media consumers to contribute proactively to the issues that matter most to them. For example, if someone cares most about the current war with Iran, they could join a peace advocacy group, call their local representative or even participate in a protest. Taking action reduces the risk of learned helplessness and can allow individuals to combat media burnout.
In all truthfulness, the world can get overwhelming, and media burnout can feel exhausting. While there is unfortunately no way for anyone to wave a magic wand and rid our planet of terrible wrongdoings and tragic accidents, existing in this constant state of media fatigue does not have to be our reality. By taking time away from the digital world and seeking out positive news, we can create a much more balanced lifestyle for ourselves and increase our capacity for helpful action.
The Pitt News editorial is a weekly article written by the opinion editors in collaboration with other desk editors. It reflects the collective opinion of the current Pitt News editorial staff.