What is a Trigger Warning?

This article provides a comprehensive exploration of trigger warnings, an increasingly common, yet debated, practice in content creation. It discusses the ethical necessity of these disclaimers in the context of traumatic materials, and highlights the arguments for and against their use. Detailed examples of different types of potential triggers are given, supporting creators in understanding and appropriately applying such warnings.

A "trigger disclaimer" or "trigger warning" is a statement made at the beginning of a piece of content that warns readers or viewers about potentially distressing material that may follow. This might include graphic violence, sexual assault, abuse, mental illness, self-harm, suicide, and many other subjects that could be triggering for individuals who have experienced similar traumas.

While not legally required, these disclaimers are considered a part of ethical content creation, allowing those who may be affected by such content to prepare themselves or choose not to engage with it.

A trigger disclaimer typically includes the following elements:

Explicit Warning: Clearly label the warning at the beginning of the content. It can be as simple as "Trigger Warning" or "Content Warning".

Specific Triggers: List the specific type(s) of potentially triggering content that will be discussed or shown. This might include violence, substance abuse, mental illness, etc. The more specific you can be without providing unnecessary detail, the better.

Purpose: Some disclaimers might briefly explain why the content is included. This isn't necessary, but it can help readers or viewers understand that the potentially triggering material isn't gratuitous or included without thought.

Clear Instructions: Include clear instructions on where the triggering content starts and ends. This can help people decide whether they want to skip certain parts.

Here are some examples of a trigger warning (written in different styles):

• Formal/Academic Style: Content Advisory Notice: Please be informed that the forthcoming material contains depictions of graphic violence, which might be distressing for some individuals. Reader discretion is advised to prevent inadvertent exposure to trauma-inducing content.
• Casual/Conversational Style: Heads up, folks! This next bit's got some heavy stuff - we're talking about mental health issues and self-harm. If that's something that might bother you, feel free to skip ahead or take a break.
• Professional/Business Style: Important Notice: The following section involves detailed discussion on substance abuse. This content could be challenging for some individuals to engage with. We encourage readers to approach with due care.
• Poetic/Literary Style: Beyond here, shadows dwell. For within these lines, we confront the demons of abuse, and their dance may vex the hearts of those who've faced similar specters. Tread lightly and with awareness.
• Social Media/Internet Style: TW 🚨! Our next post dives into sensitive territory, including detailed discussions on discrimination and hate speech. Your mental health is important to us, so if you feel like this isn't for you, it's totally okay to scroll past. Stay safe out there! 💕

The use of trigger warnings or disclaimers is a topic of ongoing debate. Here are some of the key points of contention:

Arguments in favor of trigger warnings:

• Mental Health Protection: Proponents argue that these warnings protect individuals who have experienced trauma from being unexpectedly confronted with distressing content, which could potentially cause a severe emotional reaction or trigger a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) flashback.
• Promotes Inclusive Spaces: Supporters often argue that trigger warnings make classrooms, websites, and other spaces more inclusive for all individuals, particularly those with a history of trauma.
• Autonomy and Control: Trigger warnings provide individuals with more control over their media consumption, allowing them to make informed decisions about whether or not to engage with potentially triggering content.

Arguments against trigger warnings:

• Censorship and Freedom of Speech Concerns: Critics worry that trigger warnings could lead to censorship or self-censorship if creators avoid certain topics to sidestep controversy. They argue this may infringe on freedom of speech or academic freedom.
• Overuse and Effectiveness: Some critics argue that the overuse of trigger warnings for less severe content could dilute their effectiveness, making it harder for individuals to take them seriously when they are most needed.
• Potential to Increase Anxiety: Some research suggests that trigger warnings could actually increase anxiety by causing individuals to anticipate negative content.
• Hinders Resilience and Coping Skills: Some psychologists argue that trigger warnings may hinder the development of resilience and coping strategies, as they enable avoidance of potentially distressing material rather than teaching individuals how to process and deal with it.

The list of potentially distressing material is vast and depends on the content and the potential sensitivities of your audience, but here are some common topics that might necessitate a trigger warning:

• Abuse: This could encompass physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse, child abuse, or domestic violence.
• Accidents: Graphic descriptions or images of accidents, such as car crashes or industrial accidents.
• Animal Cruelty or Death: Content involving harm or death to animals.
• Body Horror: Graphic depictions of changes made to the body, often used in the context of horror movies or books.
• Body Image and Weight Issues: Discussions or images centered around body image, weight loss, or weight gain that could trigger individuals with body dysmorphia or eating disorders.
• Bullying: Depictions or discussions of bullying, either physical or emotional.
• Child Exploitation or Child Labor: Content that discusses or depicts child exploitation or child labor.
• Death or Dying: Detailed descriptions or depictions of death, dying, or severe injury.
• Discrimination and Hate Speech: Any forms of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, or other types of discrimination or hate speech.
• Drowning or Suffocation: Depictions or descriptions of people drowning or suffocating.
• Eating Disorders: Detailed discussions or depictions of eating disorders.
• Extreme Heights or Falling: Content involving heights or people falling from great heights.
• Forced Isolation or Confinement: Depictions or descriptions of forced isolation, solitary confinement, or quarantine situations.
• Genocide: Historical accounts or depictions of mass killings based on race, religion, or ethnic background.
• Gore and Blood: Graphic depictions or descriptions of blood or internal organs.
• Graphic Birth Scenes: Detailed descriptions or depictions of childbirth which can be distressing to some people.
• Graphic Dental Procedures: Detailed descriptions or images of dental surgeries or procedures can be triggering to some.
• Graphic Violence: This can include descriptions or depictions of physical assault, torture, war, or other violent incidents.
• Harm to Vulnerable Individuals: Discussions or depictions of harm towards elderly individuals, children, or people with disabilities.
• Homelessness or Poverty: Graphic or detailed depictions of severe poverty or homelessness.
• Imprisonment: Descriptions or images of incarceration, torture, or inhumane conditions in prisons.
• Infidelity: Discussions or depictions of cheating or infidelity in relationships.
• Kidnapping and Abduction: Content involving someone being taken against their will.
• Medical Procedures: Detailed descriptions or depictions of surgeries, injections, or other medical procedures.
• Mental Illness: Detailed descriptions of mental illnesses, particularly if they involve symptoms that can be triggering, like panic attacks or eating disorders.
• Natural Disasters: Depictions or discussions of natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, or tsunamis, especially when involving loss of life or property.
• Nuclear Disaster: Discussions or depictions of nuclear disasters or radiation sickness.
• Pandemic or Epidemic: Detailed accounts or discussions of pandemics or widespread diseases, which could be triggering, especially in light of recent global events.
• Parasites and Infections: Detailed discussions or images of parasites, diseases, or infections.
• Pregnancy/Childbirth Complications: Discussions or depictions of miscarriages, infertility, difficult pregnancies, or traumatic births.
• Public Humiliation: Content that involves someone being embarrassed or humiliated in a public setting.
• Self-harm or Suicide: Discussions about, or depictions of, self-harm, suicide, or suicidal thoughts.
• Sexual Content: Graphic sexual content or nudity, especially if it's explicit or non-consensual.
• Sexual Violence: Content that involves rape, sexual assault, or other forms of sexual violence.
• Substance Abuse: Discussions or depictions of alcoholism, drug abuse, or addiction.
• War and Terrorism: Descriptions or depictions of acts of war or terrorism, which could include bombings, shootings, or other forms of violence.

This is not an exhaustive list. The need for a trigger warning can greatly depend on the content and audience, and it's important to be sensitive to potential triggers when creating and sharing content. It's also important to remember that the purpose of a trigger warning is not to exclude this content, but to allow individuals who might be affected by it to prepare themselves or make informed decisions about their media consumption. Always consider the context and your audience when deciding whether a trigger warning is appropriate.