Overexposure to Covid-19 Media and its Psychological Effects

A Quick Guide

Overexposure to media coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic can contribute to psychological distress among viewers. While media plays a crucial role in disseminating important information, inconsistent and excessive coverage can amplify perceived threat, leading to increased distress. Both the quantity and quality of media exposure matter, and viewers should regulate their consumption to prevent negative effects. Recommendations include filtering out exaggerated information, relying on trusted sources, verifying information accuracy, promoting protective behaviors, and delivering information in a calm and rational manner.

Psychological Distress and overexposure to Media on Covid-19

The media diligently covered the unfolding crisis of the covid-19 pandemic when the entire world had shut down. Many people resorted to getting media updates about the pressing situation. This was a feeble attempt to get a sense of control over the situation which only backfired. Because overexposure to media on Covid-19 may have negative effects. Especially as frequent news consumption and updates about the pandemic may enhance the experience of psychological distress among the viewers.

The dual role of media during the Covid-19 Pandemic

The advent of the covid-19 pandemic has been one of the most devastating incidents of the 21st Century. The deadly virus took the lives of thousands of people while putting many others at risk. Apart from its toll on physical health, the mental health of people worldwide has also suffered. There is a state of fear and anxiety among the general public. While many people fear getting infected and losing their lives to the virus, others fear the loss of their loved ones. Helplessness and hopelessness due to the contagious nature of the disease and uncertainty about the treatment are prevalent among the public.

During this time, media has played an important role. Since, management of those infected with the covid-19 virus requires early recognition of symptoms, prompt diagnosis, preventive steps, immediate home management, and medical treatment. At each step, the media has diligently communicated the necessary information to people. Knowing such information not only affected people’s attitudes but also their future behavior toward the illness.

Media especially news channels, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, etc, have acted positively during the pandemic. People formed supportive online groups and started pages to promote emotional stability and messages of hope to others. Videos on managing physical and mental health, relaxation exercises, helpful books, and activities to do during the lockdown also became popular. Similarly, many individuals spread free educational activities, messages of self-protective measures, and advertisements of safety. All of this consolidated the importance of limiting the spread of disease.

The media’s positive impact cannot be denied. However, it also played a negative role. Especially when spreading inconsistent information about the covid-19 virus, the number of cases, and deaths. This may have contributed to the mass behavior of panic when the pandemic began in January 2020.

The infinite loop of Distress and overexposure to Media on Covid-19

Psychologists Dana Rose Garfin, Roxane Cohen Silver, and E. Alison Holman indicated that overexposure to media coverage of epidemics like covid 19 often enhances the perception of threat in people. It activates their body’s fight and flight response which leads to a state of physiological and psychological distress if left unattended. Unfortunately, the pandemic news draws or attracts people with the most concerns. This further increases their pre-existing distress followed by even more media exposure. Thus, the infinite loop continues.

Effects of Quantity and Quality of exposure to Media on Covid-19

Previous research on global traumatic events highlighted the importance of quantity and quality of media exposure. Both help in explaining the physical and psychological responses of people that followed. A few examples of this include the 2014 Ebola outbreak, the 9-11 incident, and the Boston Marathon bombings. Incidents like these predicted acute stress symptoms worry about future terrorism and poor functioning in people. This was especially higher in individuals who consumed great amounts of media. Particularly with graphic content, bloody images, dead bodies, destruction of places, and footage of other people in anguish.

So, it is reasonable to say that both content and frequency of exposure to media updates about the covid-19 matter. Viewers should actively regulate it to prevent its negative impact.

The reason for overexposure to media on covid-19 and its effect on mass behavior

People consume great amounts of media in crises like the covid-19 pandemic to get information about assessing risk in themselves and taking necessary self-protective measures. Usually, when an uncontrollable threat is present or the situation is uncertain, an anxiety response follows. It increases when the information is ambiguous and communicated ineffectively. When the same is done by the media and news channels, it instigates mass behaviors of resource consumption, excessive visits to the hospital, and disregard for people at higher risk.

A relevant example of this can be traced to the first wave of the covid-19 pandemic. At the time, many people hoarded toilet papers, face masks, hand sanitizers, and food items from the market while disregarding the needs of others. A lot of individuals also started relying on unscientific cures and fake doctors during this which hindered the global attempts at disease management. Likewise, when the news incorrectly used the term ‘Chinese virus’ and linked it with the origin of the disease, it was followed by discriminatory behavior of people toward the Asian population. Similarly, discussion of the vulnerability of certain groups of people to the virus on media followed by abuse of the elderly and stigma of the infected individuals.

Recommendations for media coverage and media exposure for viewers

Psychologists Dana Rose Garfin, Roxane Cohen Silver, and E. Alison Holman suggested the following recommendations for media coverage and its viewers:

• The media should filter out exaggerated information and disturbing images before communicating it to the public.
• Viewers should turn to only trusted sources like World Health Organization etc for getting updates about the situation. They should avoid exposure to stories on the news and social media if their authenticity is unclear.
• Researchers conducting scientific studies should provide authentic information to public health officials for usage in the future. So, viewers should also ensure the accuracy of the source and content of information before believing it.
• The media should communicate the importance of protective behaviors clearly e.g. social distancing, wearing a face mask, maintaining 6 feet distance, sanitizing, etc. Likewise, viewers should only adopt measures that are clearly reported by the media.
• The media should provide the information in a calm, rational, and assured tone to assist people in coping with the situation more effectively. Likewise, viewers should avoid watching news channels and reporters that exaggerate information.

The covid-19 pandemic has had a drastic impact on people worldwide. There is no doubt that the media is an important source for getting updates about the uncertainty of the health crisis. Yet, regular viewers need to be aware that it can have a negative impact on their health if the content and frequency of exposure in not carefully regulated. People in charge of communicating the updates also need to stick with certain guidelines to prevent mass hysteria and distress among the public.