I understand the sentiment that news is often very depressing but I strongly disagree with the suggestion we should stop reading it. Don't rely on social media

I understand the sentiment that news is often very depressing but I strongly disagree with the suggestion we should stop reading it. Don't rely on social media for your news. Pick your news sources carefully, read more than one source too. Consider listening to radio if you want to avoid emotive images or screaming headlines. But don't stop reading (or listening to) the news. The Internet makes it possible to read or listen to English language news from sources from around the world. If you are dissatisfied with news in your region or country, go and explore those other sources. And I disagree that you can't do anything about events in the news. Millions of people donate or give money to charity or fundraising campaigns as a result of events in the news. Life isn't comfortable for millions of people around the world, but why insulate yourself from what's happening around you? I can't even begin to imagine what the world would be like if we all stopped reading the news. Knowing what's happening around the world (and your own back yard) has spurred so many people to take action big and small. And even if you think "I'm never going to take action, there's nothing I can do", you can still form an opinion - that might be an important thing when it comes to election day and you have to decide who you vote for. Not being interested in the news is exactly how politicians slip legislation under the nose of the electorate. If you find reading the news depressing, read this for an inspiring story of how a Design & Technology student was spurred into action after watching a harrowing news report on Syria: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29900968 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29900968