University of Kwazulu-Natal

Trigger Warnings Aren T Just For Snowflakes Here S Why

Bonisiwe Shabane
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trigger warnings aren t just for snowflakes here s why

Some conservatives are known for using simple-minded but harmful vocabulary in their rhetoric, especially online. They have a schoolyard bully-like tendency to simply cry ‘snowflake’ and mockingly ask “Why are you so triggered?” in response to many of the serious arguments liberals attempt to make on the internet. This enables them to disregard any of the substance of their liberal opponent’s arguments, while simultaneously attacking them as being ‘too weak.’ According to these right-wingers, it is impossible to form a logical argument... I happen to believe this is completely false. In fact, empathy has been shown to be key to conflict diffusion, and thus, online conflicts, particularly political arguments, could stand to benefit from increased civility if both participants were to attempt to be... Additionally, growing research is linking empathy to liberal political views, while failing to do so for right-leaning views, indicating a clear empathy gap among the parties.

Thus, it’s no surprise that these conservative cyberbullies have no problem posing the aggressive question of ‘Why are you so triggered?’ even if it means neglecting the deeply loaded etymological origins of the word. The concept of being ‘triggered’ dates back to some of the first studies of post-traumatic stress disorder after World War I. For people diagnosed with PTSD, the onset of troubling symptoms, such as feeling afraid and even having panic attacks, often occur in response to reminders of the trauma they suffered, or triggers. These triggers can include anything from loud noises to graphic content describing something related to the individual’s trauma. By no means is the concept of being ‘triggered’ one to be taken lightly. And yet many people, especially conservatives, have made a complete mockery of the word, hurtling it around the internet carelessly with no regard to whom they may hurt in the process.

Unsurprisingly, it is these same bigots that scoff at the very idea of trigger warnings or content warnings. The argument they commonly regurgitate is that, specifically in a classroom setting, trigger warnings can stifle the rigor of debates and interfere with students being able to grapple with difficult concepts. On the contrary, though, when executed correctly, they can do just the opposite. I spoke with Tufts psychology professor Dr. Nicole DeTore, who teaches psychopathology at Tufts. DeTore believes that due to the highly polarized nature of the term ‘trigger warning,’ it may be more effective to give such a warning without using the label at all.

Her personal approach is to alternatively say something like “We’re going to be talking about heavy subjects.” This effectively communicates the message without using nearly as polarizing language. As a result, she believes her students should hopefully feel less afraid to speak their minds during a class discussion but also step out if need be. Additionally, educators should be giving trigger warnings as far in advance as possible, preferably at least a day before the class, so that students can have the time they need to consider whether they... This also helps prevent the highly stigmatized act of walking out of a class during a discussion. If this is not possible, though, it is ideal to at least give the warning before a break and allow students to come back late or not at all to avoid the potentially distressing... Trigger warnings actually show “respect” for literature and are 'not just for snowflakes', a leading expert on English literature has said.

For many people, trigger warnings are a symptom of a society that is far too sensitive and immature. Professor John Sutherland has picked apart the issue in his new book Triggered Literature: Cancellation, Stealth Censorship and Cultural Warfare and feels, while many are “done rather stupidly”, trigger warnings are still overall worthwhile. “What is good about the idea of triggering is that literature itself can be dangerous but it can also change your life,” he said. “It can do other things; it can be a wonderful narcotic if in fact you’re in trouble. “Trigger Warnings, what a load of old shit eh. Content warnings for weak little snowflakes who can’t cope with real life”

A Trigger warning, or content warning, is a statement at the start of a piece of writing, TV, a lecture etc that warns the audience of potentially upsetting content. When I first heard about trigger warnings a few years ago I didn’t really have an opinion other than one of mild disinterest. I understood the concept but had no strong feelings either way. There were a lot of stories around at the time about the chilling effect that political correctness was having on American campuses and this was kind of lumped in as being part of that... Coddling students, not preparing them for the harshness of the ‘real world’, that sort of thing. The idea that people had suffered trauma to the extent they needed warning labels on the media they consumed was seen as problematic then, and now the issue of adding content warnings to things...

Doing a quick search for “Trigger Warning” on a few newspaper sites today: The Daily Mail — 33600 stories. Thirty three thousand. What?? As is usually the case, you become more familiar with something if it affects you personally. In 2015 a terrible thing happened to a friend of mine, (you can read about it here) and for about three or four years after, seeing a person hanging in films or TV ‘triggered’...

When I say triggered, I mean I had a sudden, uncontrollable emotional reaction. Trigger warnings are everywhere. University lectures, Netflix dramas, social media captions: “The following content may trigger emotional distress.” And research reflects this growing presence. A study with German university students found 40% had seen peers demand trigger warnings, and 58% had encountered them in lectures. Support for trigger warnings is strong too:.83% of students in the same study believed upsetting material should come with a warning.

In the US, a survey found that half of college professors use such warnings before introducing difficult content. A UK survey found 86% of university students in favour of trigger warnings. The aim of trigger warnings is to help people emotionally prepare for distressing material or to opt out. Initially designed to protect trauma survivors from being blindsided by reminders of their experiences, trigger warnings have become a routine disclaimer for distressing content. Advocates argue that warnings empower people to decide if they’re ready to engage, and that preparedness can ease emotional strain. I’ve felt that impulse myself.

Years ago, I lent a novel to a friend who experienced a psychologically abusive relationship. The subject of the book was related to their experience, and though my friend knew it going in, I still gave them a heads-up. At the time, it felt like the responsible thing to do. And part of me still thinks it was. Besides, I’m a mental health practitioner—it’s in my nature to be mindful of these things. But over the past 5 years or so, the research has made me sceptical.

While trigger warnings come from good intentions and have become widely popular, scientific evidence increasingly shows such warnings don’t do much to reduce emotional distress, and might even backfire in some cases. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9258" src="https://www.mahevashmuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-We-Need-Trigger-Warnings-More-Now-Than-Ever.jpg" alt="Why We Need Trigger Warnings More Now Than Ever" width="750" height="577" srcset="https://www.mahevashmuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-We-Need-Trigger-Warnings-More-Now-Than-Ever.jpg 750w, https://www.mahevashmuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-We-Need-Trigger-Warnings-More-Now-Than-Ever-300x231.jpg 300w, https://www.mahevashmuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-We-Need-Trigger-Warnings-More-Now-Than-Ever-610x469.jpg 610w, https://www.mahevashmuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-We-Need-Trigger-Warnings-More-Now-Than-Ever-600x462.jpg 600w, https://www.mahevashmuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-We-Need-Trigger-Warnings-More-Now-Than-Ever-100x77.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /> In recent years, the concept of trigger warnings has sparked intense debates across various social and academic landscapes. While some argue that these warnings coddle individuals and stifle free speech, others emphasize their importance in creating safer, more inclusive environments. As our understanding of trauma and mental health deepens, it becomes increasingly clear that trigger warnings are not just beneficial—they are essential. This blog post delves into why we need trigger warnings more now than ever, examining the rise in mental health awareness, the prevalence of trauma, and the evolving nature of our information consumption.

Trigger warnings are notifications that alert individuals to potentially distressing content, allowing them to prepare themselves emotionally or choose to avoid it altogether. These warnings can apply to a wide range of content, including graphic descriptions of violence, discussions of sexual assault, or depictions of mental health crises. The goal is to prevent the re-traumatization of individuals who have experienced similar events in their own lives. In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the recognition and understanding of trauma. Studies have shown that trauma is far more common than previously thought, with many individuals experiencing traumatic events at some point in their lives. According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, 70% of adults in the United States have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives.

This growing awareness underscores the necessity of creating environments that are sensitive to the needs of trauma survivors. Trauma can have profound and lasting effects on an individual’s mental health. Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are often linked to traumatic experiences. Trigger warnings play a crucial role in helping individuals manage their mental health by providing them with the information they need to navigate potentially triggering content safely. By doing so, trigger warnings can help mitigate the risk of re-traumatization and promote emotional well-being.

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