As we watch Palestinians suffer on our screens, it’s so easy to feel helpless and be filled with despair. We could even feel pressured, or conflicted about whether we should post about Gaza or not. The thing is, there are other ways we can still meaningfully show up and feel more empowered outside of the algorithm.
Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.
That quote from American civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hame has been echoing in my mind louder than ever – especially as we watch, in real time, the mass killings of Palestinian civilians by the Israeli regime.
Israel continues to bomb Gaza and block humanitarian aid. Children are dying from malnutrition. Parents are killed while seeking aid. People are desperately lining up for the very little food available to feed their families.
Hospitals, schools, places of worship, homes… destroyed to the point of irreparable return.
Because of social media, we are witnessing this war in a way no conflict has ever been documented before: the famine, trauma and death.
What we’re witnessing is increasingly being described by experts as a plausible act of genocide.
Several international organisations have formally accused Israel of genocide, including a United Nations Special Committee, Amnesty International, and most recently, two Israel-based human rights groups. Israel continues to deny this.
We’re thousands of miles away. Hopeless. Overwhelmed. Anxious. Heartbroken.
I found myself bursting into tears a few nights ago, telling my partner about the guilt I feel, that the only difference between us and them is where we were born.
How is that fair? How can such incomprehensible evil exist? What else can I do? If I already feel this way, how about them!?
The Toll on Our Mental Health
Then there’s the content itself. The flood of distressing and traumatic content we scroll through daily.
For those who choose to raise awareness online, how do we not add to the heaviness?
Psychologists have warned that increased and repeated exposure to traumatic pictures is harmful to one’s mental health. As a coping mechanism, it could also make people apathetic, desensitised or dissociated. Or the complete opposite.
In an article for Saudi news outlet Al Arabiya English, a young Palestinian woman based in London talks about how the graphic images in Gaza have deeply impacted her wellbeing. Clinical psychologist Dr Nayla Daou tells Al Arabiya English that constantly watching these videos could lead to a form of secondary trauma – compassion fatigue.
Melbourne-based journalist and author Jenny Valentish told Capsule that social media in these times can be a huge source of anxiety:
“I think particularly in this era where we are witnessing a genocide, and the news cycle hasn’t been this distressing for… a long time. You see many of your peers using their platforms to protest, and that can increase anxiety.
“Like, how much do I do? Am I doing it wrong? Am I doing it out of fear that I will be judged if I don’t do it? If I publicly support this cause, then would I be criticised if I don’t also post these other things? Because my political leaning is this way, therefore I should be supporting all these things and condemning all these things.”
Her advice? If social media has become a place of overwhelm, there are other ways to help or condemn a situation.
“You can donate money, you can protest. It doesn’t have to be your public social media account.”
The Pressure to Post on Social Media
There is a very real “pressure” to say something on social media to show where you stand.
On one hand, social media activism has become a beacon for minority voices because of the distrust in mainstream news outlets, and how it overlooks, or often frames the marginalised with bias. Notably, it catapulted historic movements like Black Lives Matter after George Floyd was murdered by a police officer.
Since the October 7 attack, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have educated the world about the occupation of Israel in Palestinian territories. Activists, celebrities, creatives and influencers have used their platforms to protest. It’s brave and powerful.
But on the other hand, there’s the unforgiving cancel culture. The fear of being dragged online for saying the wrong thing, or not enough. The comments that say “we remember who stayed silent” or “it’s too late now”.
That pressure can paralyse people from taking action and it can feel like there’s no “right way” to show you care.
It could simply just be that some people don’t feel well-informed, equipped or qualified to speak about it. Or that people are still learning, or are showing up in other ways that doesn’t involve social media.
We’re all just trying our best in our own lives – juggling families, parenthood, relationships, work, mental health and the state of the world.
Unlike war journalists and foreign correspondents, we do not have trauma training to help us constantly process and navigate harrowing traumatic events.
Not everyone also has the privilege of accessing therapy, especially if the constant doomscrolling has negatively impacted your life.
Stand in the Power of the Collective
Environmental activist and author Bill McKibben is known for his powerful mantra: The best thing you could as an individual is to be less of an individual.
Doomscrolling on social media can really lead to moments of isolation and despair, and it’s not until we reach out to our friends that we can share that emotional load and not feel alone in this.
It is innate in humans to want to build deep connections, and while social media can offer a level of superficial connection, it lacks the depth and mutual support that can only be built in real world communities.
There is power in the collective, and one of the ways to do that is to lean into the BDS (Boycott, Divest and Sanction) Movement.
Last year, I moved my KiwiSaver to an ethical fund after I found out my previous provider invested my money in weapons.
And like the incredible Dianne Ludwig shared with us, you could donate to mutual aid like hers or charities still operating in Gaza, boycott companies who are funding Israel or demand your MPs to vote for the Chlöe Swarbrick sponsored bill which will sanction Israel.
We don’t need to completely cut off from the news because it’s important to stay informed. But set boundaries and be more intentional with spending time doing enjoyable activities by yourself – and with loved ones.
