Life is a Trigger

Why are we as a society finding new ways to silence the discussion of uncomfortable topics? We have become a generation that is oversensitive and too afraid to discuss topics such as sexual assault and rape without said trigger warnings.

This brings me to my research question; Are trigger warnings used on social media making society oversensitive? During my research I hope to gain further understanding on the overuse of trigger warnings and how they truly affect the psych of people who do experience PTSD.

Trigger and content warnings were initially designed to provide the viewer with safe exposure to topics of concern. They were never intended to prevent uncomfortable conversations (Flynn, 2016). As society have become inherently more sensitive, we are finding more and more trigger warnings associated with topics of conversation that allow the viewer to avoid or metaphorically pull wool over their eyes. These warnings were first introduced on feminist websites to pre-warn users of the shared content that included issues like rape, sexual abuse and violence (Veraldi and Veraldi, 2015). This ideology was to create a safe space online where users could talk freely about their experiences (Salter and Blodgett 2012, 407).

Mendes, Ringrose, and Keller (2018) studied the ways in which feminists increasingly turned to digital technologies and different social media platforms to promote discussions of sexism, misogyny and rape culture. These discussions were forms of ‘safe spaces’ that allowed for feminists to speak freely without the judgement of the outside world. Lewis et al (2012) states there are some benefits to online communications that discuss uncomfortable content. However, as more communication shifts to social media the use of trigger warnings are considered necessary among the younger generation.

With the campaign movement of “Not All Men” currently on social media across all platforms, there is a constant theme, sexual assault. These posts on social media in particular, Instagram, are providing their followers and viewers the scary and very real facts of the current situation. The idea of this campaign highlights that it is in fact not all men who are predators, but it is enough men that women feel scared. With several accounts across Instagram sharing content and bombarding the platform with language that refers to incidents and sometimes imagery projecting their experiences. As part of a movement, it would be detrimental to their campaign to place trigger warnings as the purpose of the content is to raise awareness and to make people feel uncomfortable with the current social issues and lack of social justice.

However, offensive or disturbing content is not singled out to just sexual assault and rape. YouTube in 2017 was accused of blocking LGBTQ+ content through a restricted mode feature that was designed to filter out inappropriate content. It is these steps towards creating a ‘safer’ online experience that there is a real risk of silencing a crowd of people.

The above image depicts the backlash of YouTube providing a “restricted content mode” switch in 2017.

Bellet, Jones, and McNally (2018) were among the first to study the effects of trigger warnings. The team came to a conclusion that trigger warnings may inadvertently undermine some aspects of emotional resilience. We are training our younger generations that it’s okay to be wrapped in cotton wool and not face the discomfort of reality. This is especially true throughout Instagram as they provide a sensitive content warning on graphic images that depict harsh realities. These are not subject to sexual assault and rape but to animals in the wild stalking their prey, bloodied images of animals who are being abused in the meat industry. If it makes you uncomfortable that typically means that something needs to change. The answer to this change is not the notion of trigger/content warnings protecting viewers from being exposed to this content, it is open forums and discussions that will allow for growth and potentially thicker skin.

Image above demonstrates the sensitive content filter used to hide offensive or disturbing content on Instagram.

Sanson et el (2019) conducted six experiments providing some users with a trigger warning and others without. The participants had a history of trauma to assist with the effectiveness of the trigger warnings. After conducting a mini meta- analysis, it was confirmed that there were trivial effects of negative intrusions and avoidance. This was regardless of the trigger warning or not. These results suggested that there is no meaningful effect of the use of trigger warnings. However, I understand the importance of trigger warnings and its means to respect a user’s intellectual, emotional and physical boundaries when used correctly, it is the overuse that has created sensitivity throughout a generation.

As a society how do we mitigate these conversations and help to assist in creating safe discussions. If the answer isn’t trigger warnings, then what can be implemented to avoid users from potential PTSD? As I continue my research, I hope to find other ways in which topics that are usually censored across social media platforms can shine in a more positive light in the future.

References:

Bellet, B. W., Jones, P. J., & McNally, R. J. (2018). Trigger warning: Empirical evidence ahead. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 61, 134–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2018.07.002

Flynn, M. (2016). The Trouble with Trigger Warnings. Greater Good Magazine. Accessed 25 March 2021, < https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/trouble_with_trigger_warnings>

Lewis, Stephen P, Heath, Nancy L, Michal, Natalie J & Duggan, Jamie M 2012, ‘Nonsuicidal self-injury, youth, and the Internet: what mental health professionals need to know’, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, vol. 6, no. 13, viewed 24 March 2021 via BioMed Central.

Salter, A., and B. Blodgett 2012. “Hypermasculinity & Dickwolves: The Contentious Role of Women in the New Gaming Public.” Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media 56 (3): 401–416. doi:10.1080/08838151.2012.705199. [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®]

Sanson, M., Strange, D. and Garry, M., 2019. Trigger Warnings Are Trivially Helpful at Reducing Negative Affect, Intrusive Thoughts, and Avoidance. Clinical Psychological Science, [online] 7(4), pp.778-793. Available at: <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2167702619827018?journalCode=cpxa&gt; [Accessed 25 March 2021].

Veraldi, L., and D. Veraldi. 2015. “Is There a Research Basis for Requiring Trigger Warnings?” Paper presented at 31st Annual Symposium in Forensic Psychology, San Diego, CA, March 26.