According to Boukes, the news is not necessarily more negative than it used to be. ‘News is about things that are not normal,’ he explains. ‘In a society where most things go well, this often means negative events. Journalists also feel responsible for showing mistakes and problems, because they act as a kind of watchdog for democracy.’

But we do have more access to bad news than ever. ‘There are now many more sources, apps and push messages. And some topics in today’s news, like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza or climate change, are heavier and feel closer than what we were used to in past years.’

What does all this news do to you?

Boukes studied the effect of news use on people’s well-being. He found that people who follow a lot of serious news feel less happy in the long run. ‘Especially if you check the news very often and cannot stop, it can affect your mental health,’ he says. ‘It is actually quite similar to using social media.’

In later research, Boukes and his colleagues also found that the more people used online media, the more fear they had of COVID-19. And that fear also had a negative impact on their mental well-being.

Serious news, told as a joke

Another way people get their news is through satirical television. Dutch tv shows like Even tot hier or Zondag met Lubach have been very popular in recent years. ‘Satire can work very well to explain complex topics’, says Boukes. ‘Especially when the makers take the time to explain a topic from start to finish, with humour and facts. The Lubach team is very good at this.’

But there is also a downside. ‘With some jokes you need to have followed the news already, otherwise you will not understand them. This is often the case with Even tot hier. So satire is not always an entry point to the news, sometimes it is more of an addition.’

Tips for healthy news use

So how can you stay informed without feeling down? Boukes gives some practical advice:

• Choose fixed times to follow the news. ‘For example, watch the NOS Journal at six or eight o’clock. In twenty minutes you know what is going on.’
• Use push messages. ‘Turn them on without sound. Then you will not be disturbed, you only see the most important messages and you do not need to scroll all day.’
• Be critical about your sources. ‘Follow reliable sources like NOS or a quality newspaper. If you also follow influencers or more sensational channels, make sure you check their information with reports from trained journalists who look at facts and different sides of a story.’

But the most important general advice is: also take breaks. ‘Young people already get a lot of information through social media. Sometimes it is good to put your phone away and do something else, like watch a series or go for a walk.’

Is it bad to stop following the news?

Some people choose not to follow the news at all, says Boukes . ‘They say: “It makes me unhappy, so I simply don’t watch it anymore”.’ Research shows that this can indeed improve their mood, Boukes explains. Still, it is difficult to close yourself off completely from what is happening: ‘Through conversations or social media, people often still hear what is going on, so they are not completely cut off from the world.’