The Debate Club discussion

I don't know how to phrase this or which folder it belongs to, but I have noticed that society has been putting a lot of pressure on people to add trigger warnings to their videos/posts/etc online, and I wondered if maybe we stress too much about providing those TWs and if it's all necessary. Discuss below.

(Tw for mentioning rape, SH and suicide -I don’t go into any detail tho)

I have incredibly specific tw’s ‘requirements’? that most of the time aren’t included, which obviously is quite stressful to me -but I don’t expect them to be included all the time. So many people have varied, specific and unique TW’s that it would be impossible to include all of them and I don’t think anyone should be shamed for not including TW’s like that.
However, I’ve seen many videos and pictures etc. that mention suicide, SH, rape and others that have absolutely no TW’s and I think that’s just irresponsible.
So, I think people should be encouraged to put TW’s on their content, but, especially if it’s a specific topic that probably isn’t triggering to a lot of people (such as cancer, hospitals, etc), nobody should be forced to put TW’s, or be shamed because they haven’t.

Hazel (my girlfriend's version) wrote: "(Tw for mentioning rape, SH and suicide -I don’t go into any detail tho)

I have incredibly specific tw’s ‘requirements’? that most of the time aren’t included, which obviously is quite stressful t..."

Agreed!

No not really rather be safe than sorry you don't know what others have been through.

I think we should accommodate as much as possible for widely-known triggering things (SH, SI, SA, bl00d) and people should be encouraged to add warnings, but because a lot of people have specific triggers, we should try to accommodate those too but not feel guilty by not adding them, because others' specific needs aren't our responsibility unless we personally know them.

To me this question doesn't really have a right or wrong answer, but I don't think trigger warnings are necessary for brief mentions. For example, I don't think the trigger warning Hazel included at the start of her comment was necessary because her mention of traumatic experiences was very brief--all she did was simply list them.

Now, if someone is giving details or a graphic depiction (written or video) of something that is traumatic, then I think a trigger warning would be warranted. For example, at the beginning of video clips showing conflict in Ukraine they usually put a warning first; that's definitely warranted in my opinion. However, a news story mentioning the conflict shouldn't have to put "warning: this article discusses killing" or whatever.

I do think a lot of censorship, like "unalive" instead of "kill," is unnecessary and actually draws more attention to the thing itself because it sticks out.

Chulu wrote: "To me this question doesn't really have a right or wrong answer, but I don't think trigger warnings are necessary for brief mentions. For example, I don't think the trigger warning Hazel included a..."

I would disagree -I’ve been triggered to the point of serious consequences because of passing comments of SA and I’ve seen the same thing happen for many other people. At the end of the day, it isn’t necessary but it is considerate.
I definitely agree with your last points though.

i feel it’s always better to do more than to do less, and try to include all triggering things. but id say do major topics and if you’re asked to mark anything else do so.

Hazel (my girlfriend's version) wrote: "Chulu wrote: "To me this question doesn't really have a right or wrong answer, but I don't think trigger warnings are necessary for brief mentions. For example, I don't think the trigger warning Ha..."

That’s why I said there isn’t really a right or wrong answer, because people handle things differently and it also depends on what exactly is being brought up and how. I’m sorry for your experience(s).

Honestly, I'm kinda torn on this one. I definitely think there should be tws for SA, suic*de, etc, cuz those are really triggering.

On the other hand, there could be tws for literally everyone on everything. Idk if it's really necessary to put tws for all of those, but its also kinda hypocritical for me to say that cuz I would love if there were tws for vomit on shows and stuff, cuz I have emetophobia and might have a panic attack if I see someone throw up, so I understand why someone would want to have tws for the more minor things, like blood and gore and stuff.

I think we need more TWs! It’s impossible to find TWs for emetophobia so I end up not watching most shows tbh because if someone gets sick in a show I’ll have a panic attack usually and also like even mentions of it can cause anxiety for me, like I literally can’t listen to certain songs because they say words that are triggering and I have anxiety when I hear them

⯌Sky⯌ ~take from you like you took from me~ wrote: "Honestly, I'm kinda torn on this one. I definitely think there should be tws for SA, suic*de, etc, cuz those are really triggering.

On the other hand, there could be tws for literally everyone on..."

yesss exactly!! (finally someone else who has emetophobia lol)