In just the USA, over 3,000 news outlets exist that decide the information citizens receive about various events, so how can you properly stay informed?
As a citizen, knowing the latest social issues and political issues can help you make better decisions. You should also know about global events because the US is often affected by things happening in other countries.
However, many people struggle to find the right sources for their information. In this guide, we’ll help you start gathering information without consuming negative things that’ll affect your judgment.
Read on to learn how to start staying informed!
Browse Social Media
One of the best tips we can give to those that want to stay informed about global and local issues is to browse social media, which has about 4.76 billion users.
With the likes of Twitter and Reddit, you can view feeds of new information about a variety of topics. Although anyone can post on these platforms, you’ll find relevant information by following the right people.
Use Reliable Sources
No matter what platform you decide to get your information from, you must use reliable sources. Many platforms exist to spread misinformation, which can cause people to panic.
The simplest way to decide whether a source is reliable is to compare the information they’ve shared to what happened. For example, if a Twitter account was tweeting details about a crime that were later revealed to be correct, they may be a reliable source.
Limit Your Access
Staying informed about what’s going on in the world can help you understand what affects you as a citizen, but you should limit your access. Without a healthy routine, you may find yourself consuming news in a manner that’ll degrade the way you think.
To create a healthy routine, you should choose a certain time of the day to read the news; however, you shouldn’t do so soon after waking up. If you end up consuming negative news in the morning, you may end up in a poor mood throughout the rest of the day.
If you enjoy listening to podcasts from informed people, like rsnake.com, consider starting them during lunch and finishing after work. This will help you stay updated about social and political issues without taking in too much information at once.
Stay Informed With These Simple Tips
Now that you know how to healthily stay informed, start using these tips in your day-to-day life. With them, you can ensure you know about the latest events without draining your mental health.
If you’re not already on social media, we encourage you to create an account on Twitter or Reddit. While you’ll be prone to negative information, like any platform, you can choose who you follow. This will make it much easier to get the information you want at any time.
For more info on political and social issues, have a look at the rest of our helpful blog.