People with a news addiction, i.e. an excessive urge to constantly read the latest news, often feel stressed, anxious and sick. This is the conclusion of a current study by Texas Tech University ( TTU ). To do this, the researchers surveyed 1,100 US citizens about their news consumption. According to this, 16.5 percent of the population in the USA exhibit “extremely problematic addictive behavior,” which can have a lasting negative impact on both psychological and physical well-being.
News addiction – a dangerous cycle
“Over the last two years, we have endured a series of frightening global events, from the COVID pandemic to Russia's invasion of Ukraine to large-scale protests, mass shootings and devastating wildfires. “Many people feel powerless and desperate when reading such messages.”
Bryan McLaughlin from TTU’s College of Media and Communication
Anyone who consumes too much of it can develop truly addictive behavior, which brings with it a “significantly higher risk of illness”.
“The affected individuals can then become trapped in a dangerous cycle that draws them further and further in. They obsess over the news and need to check the latest updates 24/7 to reduce their emotional stress levels. In the end, that doesn't help because the more news they consume, the greater the impact it has on other aspects of their lives."
Bryan McLaughlin from TTU’s College of Media and Communication
Train media skills
According to the researchers, 16.5 percent of citizens in the USA now exhibit “extremely problematic addictive behavior” when it comes to news consumption. Those affected are often so personally involved in news events that it dominates people's thoughts and important time with family and friends is disrupted. In addition, their addiction to news makes it difficult for them to concentrate at work, they feel restless and have problems sleeping.
According to study leader McLaughlin, the results show that there is an urgent need to launch broad-based campaigns to promote media literacy among the population. The expert emphasizes that they need to develop a “healthier relationship with news” again:
“Research has shown that people stop or at least significantly reduce their problem behavior when they realize how negatively it impacts their health.”
Bryan McLaughlin from TTU’s College of Media and Communication
Source: press release
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