The world is ever-changing, whether from political, social, or environmental standpoints. News is continuous and in abundance, mostly thanks to search engines and various news apps.
Staying up to date on various developments is crucial to understanding what’s happening around the world, but doing so can quickly become overwhelming. Here are some ways you can stay on top of things.
Change the way you learn
Instead of watching the same news channel every night, add in some different streams. This could be a podcast that sums up major worldwide events each day, or digital articles that suit your interests.
There are so many different ways to get updated on the latest news, from social media profiles on Instagram and TikTok, to podcasts and radio stations, to traditional media like TV and newspapers.
We recommend you mix and match the type of content you interact with, as you may find the alternative methods offer a refreshing change of pace, especially regarding certain topics.
Be careful of what you consume
While traditional TV media is easily accessible, it can also focus on specific viewpoints. Additionally, some news organisations lack the same journalistic ethical standards, which can often lead to misinformation or overly biased messaging.
Be sure to listen to the topics that matter most, but be critical of the channels you learn from. You may want to listen to the same story from different agencies to see how the message differs and develop a more complete understanding of the situation.
Set up alerts
It’s easy to miss updates on topics you care about if you’re not actively looking for them. To make sure you never miss a thing, you might want to turn on notifications or use Google Alerts. Google Alerts can be a great feature, since it lets you know the moment new updates regarding your chosen terms appear.
Of course, you might find it difficult to stay updated on international affairs without a VPN for iPhone or Android. By using a VPN, you can convince news sites you’re in another country and gain access to articles typically restricted to their country.
Avoid overconsumption
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is not to take in too much. World news, especially difficult topics, can quickly become overwhelming and stressful. To avoid this, create clear guidelines for how long you want to catch up on current events.
If certain sources aren’t working for you, remove them and turn to more positive news sources.