Social media impacting Winnipegers in the face of international tragedies

WINNIPEG — Breaking news and tragedies unfolding right before our eyes as many follow along on social media.

The death of missing five-year-old  Calgary girl, Taliyah Marsman, and over 100 people dead or injured following an attack in Nice Thursday. Both tragedies flooding social media accounts as users scroll and watch the world and friends react online.

RELATED: Body of Taliyah Marsman found, Edward Downey charged with first degree murder

One Winnipeg therapist said staying glued to our social media accounts can at times magnify fear.

“We can be flooded with other people’s pain every waking minute by looking at our devices. Our brains can’t tell whether it’s happening next door or across the world,” said Carolyn Klassen, a Therapist at Conexus Counselling.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We can be flooded with other people's pain every waking minute by looking at our devices. Our brains can't tell whether it's happening next door or across the world," said Carolyn Klassen, a Therapist at Conexus Counselling.

RELATED: At least 84 dead after truck attack in Nice, France

It can be an overwhelming feeling of connection to a situation happening across the world, when the updates flood Facebook and Twitter and social media friends comment and share their thoughts on tragedies.

Social media expert and Vice President of Accounts at Metric Marketing, Kevin MacNeil, said that’s because social media is today’s platform for grieving and opinion. Especially following the international heartache being felt in the last two days of news stories.

Both experts said, while it’s difficult to escape social media and the often overwhelming feelings it brings with it in the face of tragedy, sometimes it’s ok to just turn off the connection.