“Secondhand trauma!” I remarked to my father as we watched the distressing events of the Hamas-Israel war on the screen. “Switch the channel,” he responded. Deep down, I was grappling with feelings of guilt. From the safety of our living room, it felt wrong to simply be spectators to such suffering. It felt like a moral duty to bear witness, to understand and to spread awareness. Looking away during times of injustice felt like a silent endorsement of the wrongdoings.

However, it’s important to recognize that the war in Gaza has a significant digital dimension. Due to the constraints on journalists’ movements and limited access to various regions, much of the information emerging from Gaza is user-generated or comes from eyewitnesses. This typically consists of unedited videos shared mainly by young individuals without adhering to editorial guidelines. Consequently, many distressing images and videos find their way to global social media audiences. How does this impact individuals who view content related to the conflict online?

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Secondary trauma denotes the emotional distress or adverse effects experienced from indirect exposure. It can arise especially when someone has personal connections to the event or when they come across unsettling images or videos. Repeatedly encountering such disturbing content can potentially harm one’s mental health.

Researching the psychological impact of viewing distressing digital content on social media is a nascent area of study, as is exploring effective interventions. Managing Director of the Digital Investigations Lab at Human Rights Watch Sam Dubberley recommends, “Always be prepared, avoid surprises, and be ready to view distressing material any time when moving online.”

Recognizing individual circumstances is crucial. It’s essential to underscore the uniqueness of each person and the diverse responses they may have to comparable experiences or interactions. Moreover, the mindset one has during these interactions greatly influences their impact. A personal relationship with an event also contributes to the response. While there is no one-size-fits-all method or rule that applies universally across all scenarios, there are various strategies and actions that can be employed to mitigate adverse effects.

It’s essential to be mentally prepared for unsettling content when browsing through a news feed, especially during well-documented conflicts where graphic images or videos could appear unexpectedly. 

Furthermore, the significance of sound cannot be overlooked, and it’s recommended for social media users to lower or mute their news feed audio.  Studies have indicated that auditory experiences, such as hearing someone in distress or pain, can have a more profound impact on the psyche than visual stimuli. They “stick” to the psyche. Many unsettling videos available online depict individuals experiencing harm or assault. The audible anguish in these videos can leave a lasting impression on a viewer’s mind.

When viewing war-related videos, social media users should consider minimizing the video size or disabling autoplay. If needed, they can also choose to look away from the screen for a second. 

According to Gerard Lawson, a licensed professional counselor and a professor in the school of education at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, individuals should periodically take breaks from their devices to prevent constant exposure to war imagery throughout the day. Individuals who experience mental or emotional distress are encouraged to be vigilant for “unusual signs” like sleep disturbances, recurrent nightmares or increased use of alcohol or drugs — among others. It’s beneficial to discuss these feelings with family, friends or coworkers.

If these problems persist for an extended time, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance, if one hasn’t done so already.

Conflicts generate immense suffering and psychological trauma, extending beyond those immediately impacted. Although remaining knowledgeable is crucial, individuals on social media must be conscious of the potential hazards associated with encountering distressing content online.

Hosna Hossain

Class of 2023