Why more people are turning away from the news: ‘I don’t feel that anxiety anymore’

News has never been easier to access, but for many, that’s the very issue. Overwhelmed by a constant flood of information and updates, more people worldwide are choosing to tune out.

The reasons differ: some are put off by the sheer amount of news, others by the emotional weight of negative stories or a general distrust of the media. In online communities focused on mindfulness and mental health, people share strategies for stepping back—from setting limits to cutting out news entirely.

Mardette Burr, a retiree in Arizona, stopped watching the news about eight years ago. She says, “Now that I don’t watch the news, I just don’t have that anxiety. I don’t have dread. There were times I’d be up at two or three in the morning, upset about something happening in the world that I had little control over.”

She’s not alone. According to a June survey by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, news avoidance has reached a record high globally. This year, 40% of respondents across nearly 50 countries said they sometimes or often avoid the news, up from 29% in 2017—the highest figure on record.

The numbers were even higher in the US (42%) and the UK (46%). The main reason people gave for actively avoiding news was its negative impact on their mood. Respondents also said they felt worn out by the volume of news, tired of excessive coverage of war and conflict, and powerless to act on the information they received.

Julian Burrett, a British marketing professional, has intentionally disconnected from the news since the pandemic, after feeling almost addicted to constant negative updates. He’s deleted most news apps from his phone and avoids TV news. Last year, he started a small Reddit community, r/newsavoidance, to discuss the pros and cons, tips, and tools for avoiding news.

Others who spoke to The Guardian described different approaches. One person checks the news just once a week to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. Another has avoided news for years, citing its effect on his mood and a broader distrust in the press. A man from Maryland said recent political developments left him feeling “enraged,” so he now limits himself to scanning headlines.

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Note: The text appears to be incomplete, as it cuts off mid-sentence.For decades, Roxane Cohen Silver has studied the effects of consuming media about crises, including 9/11, the Covid-19 pandemic, climate disasters, and mass shootings. “Greater exposure leads to higher levels of distress in people’s mental health reports—more anxiety, depression, and symptoms of post-traumatic and acute stress,” said Silver, a professor of psychology, medicine, and public health at the University of California, Irvine.

In recent years, her research has identified political polarization as a major source of stress for Americans. Similarly, political issues ranked highest in last year’s American Psychological Association Stress in America poll, with the economy and the spread of misinformation also featuring prominently.

Silver noted that the rise of smartphones and social media has dramatically increased opportunities for exposure to distressing content. “There’s ample opportunity to be exposed to news constantly, whether through push notifications on phones or by consuming news across multiple platforms at once,” she said.

Viewing graphic imagery, in particular, is linked to psychological distress—a growing concern in an era when disturbing images of tragedies circulate widely, often beyond the control of news organizations.

A growing body of online advice encourages healthier ways to consume news. Much of it focuses on setting boundaries so people can seek out information intentionally when they’re ready, rather than being bombarded by a constant stream. Suggestions include subscribing to newsletters or summaries from trusted sources, turning off news alerts, and limiting social media use.

“People can stay informed without doomscrolling,” Silver said. Applying insights from her research to her own life, she reads news online but avoids videos, television, and social media. “I don’t see any psychological or physical benefit from consuming those kinds of images,” she explained. “So if I’m reading a story and there’s a video, I don’t click on it.”

She recommends setting specific times for reading the news rather than staying immersed in it constantly, emphasizing that a sense of control over exposure can be helpful.

Benjamin Toff, director of the Minnesota Journalism Center at the…In his book “Avoiding the News,” a University of Minnesota researcher examines the trend of news avoidance. He highlights an important difference between people who consistently avoid the news and those who simply limit their intake—the latter, he notes, is “perfectly healthy.”

“We live in a world where news is available around the clock, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by constant information. But that doesn’t mean you have to be,” he said.

What concerns him and his co-authors is when stepping back from the news becomes a pattern that widens social gaps, making some groups less involved in political life.

“The more you disconnect from the news, the harder it is to understand what’s happening with any given issue,” he explained.

The authors found that consistent news avoidance is more common among young people, women, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

“If you share our belief that everyone should have equal opportunities to engage politically—to vote, to speak up about important issues—then we see news disengagement as a problem,” Toff said.

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about why people are turning away from the news designed to sound natural and provide clear direct answers

General Beginner Questions

1 Why are so many people avoiding the news these days
People are avoiding the news because it often feels overwhelming negative and emotionally draining leading to stress and anxiety

2 Isnt it important to stay informed
Yes staying informed is important but constant exposure to a 247 news cycle especially negative or alarmist reporting can be harmful to mental wellbeing People are seeking a healthier balance

3 What is news avoidance or doomscrolling
News avoidance is consciously choosing to limit or stop consuming news
Doomscrolling is the opposite the habit of endlessly scrolling through bad news online often worsening anxiety

4 Is this just about being lazy or uninformed
No For many its a deliberate act of selfcare They are choosing to protect their mental health rather than disengaging out of laziness

Deeper Reasons Problems

5 What specific things about the news push people away
Common reasons include
Negativity Bias News focuses heavily on crises conflict and tragedy
Polarization Feeling like news outlets are pushing an agenda rather than reporting facts
Feeling of Powerlessness Constant bad news can make people feel theres nothing they can do to help
Information Overload Its simply too much to keep up with all the time

6 Doesnt avoiding the news make you ignorant about important issues
It can which is why many news avoiders dont cut it out completely They often switch to getting news in a more controlled way like from curated summaries or less frequently to stay informed without the burnout

7 Are certain groups of people more likely to avoid the news
Research shows that younger people and women are more likely to actively avoid the news often citing the toll it takes on their mood and mental health

Personal Impact Benefits

8 What are the benefits of taking a break from the news
People report
Reduced anxiety and stress levels
Improved mood and a more positive outlook

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