The news is everywhere, designed to draw us in, but over time I’ve come to see that reading it doesn’t just waste time—it harms our mental health and our sense of agency. Beyond that, it’s practically useless for the average citizen. Despite what media companies would like us to believe, staying informed about every headline isn’t a productive, empowering habit. In fact, it’s a trap that keeps us feeling anxious, stressed, and, ultimately, powerless.(Doomscrolling)

Current Events: Out of Our Hands, Out of Our Control

Most of us follow the news to feel “informed” or “prepared,” but for what, exactly? The average person has very little influence over the big events that make headlines—war, political shifts, economic downturns, climate crises. For a small number of decision-makers, maybe these stories hold actionable data. But for the vast majority of us, understanding these events doesn’t actually change anything in our day-to-day lives. Whether the stock market plummets or the dollar strengthens, most of us are still going to work in the same job, paying the same bills, and dealing with the same obligations. News consumption becomes a form of passive worry about things we have no real power to change

And even if we could act on the information we absorb, most of us don’t have the luxury of adjusting our lives on a whim. Financial and social constraints mean that we can’t respond to the news in ways that would actually matter. If a piece of news tells you the economy might falter in the coming months, but you still need your paycheck next week, you aren’t in a position to make drastic changes. The news becomes another layer of stress—a constant reminder of things we wish we could control but simply can’t.

Political News: Same Game, Different Players

Political news, in particular, may be the most useless of all. In modern society, almost all politicians are career politicians—people who know how to play the game but don’t necessarily know or care about addressing real issues. Careerism in politics means they’re motivated by re-election, optics, and deals rather than any serious commitment to change. These people shift their positions, make empty promises, and argue endlessly, but real change remains scarce. Even when one side appears to “win,” the basic structures remain, driven by the same corporations and interest groups funding both parties. This isn’t a conspiracy theory; it’s a simple matter of fact: large corporations routinely back both sides, hedging their bets to ensure that no matter who wins, their interests are protected.

The result is a kind of political theater, designed to make us believe there’s something at stake, that we as citizens have a direct role in the outcome. But ultimately, the people in power aren’t really listening, and the problems at the heart of society go unresolved. The cycle continues, and we, as news consumers, are stuck watching and waiting for change that never comes.

The Mental Health Cost of Doomscrolling

Then there’s the psychological impact. News has a tendency to focus on the negative—conflict, disaster, crime—because that’s what drives engagement. It’s no surprise that doomscrolling, or compulsively scrolling through bad news, has become so common. When we expose ourselves to a constant stream of upsetting headlines, we develop a skewed, fearful view of the world. Studies have linked high levels of news consumption to increased anxiety, stress, and even depression. Instead of informing us, the news feeds our worries, making us feel like the world is in a constant state of crisis.

But it’s not just the content that’s harmful—it’s the addiction. Modern media platforms are designed to keep us hooked, enticing us with endless scrolls, notifications, and “breaking news” alerts. Even when we know this is unhealthy, we feel compelled to check, just in case. Over time, this habit erodes our mental resilience, filling us with dread about things that are often beyond our control. It leaves us feeling small, isolated, and unable to take meaningful action. Rather than empowering us, it paralyzes us, making us feel worse than if we hadn’t looked at all.

So, What’s the Alternative?

One option is to check out good news websites that only posts uplifting, inspiring and positive stories. Go look at websites like The Good News Hub or positive.news for a refreshing alternative to mainstream news streaming.

If reading the mainstream news neither informs nor empowers us, it might be time to step away. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care about the world around us—just that our attention is a limited resource. Instead of allowing the news to drain it, we could focus on things we can control: our relationships, our health, our immediate communities. These are areas where we can make a real difference, even in small ways.

In a world that bombards us with information, choosing what not to consume might be one of the most empowering decisions we can make. By stepping away from the endless news cycle, we can reclaim our peace of mind and focus on what truly matters