Results of the Discussion on Trigger Warnings
Hello everyone,
On September 19th, I posted the second survey regarding trigger warnings (link) and today, I want to share the results with you.
Most of the people prefer the term "trigger warning".
I also checked if people with trauma-related disorders have answered differently, but the result it the same. Therefore, it seems best to keep the term "trigger warning".
However, there have been some comments on how we should use trigger warnings. Therefore, I've written that down.
1. The warning should always be followed by a short description of the topic (e.g. “Trigger Warning: Domestic Abuse).
2. During discussions, the triggering content can't directly follow the warning. Instead, there should be a short break and if someone doesn't want to be confronted with this topic, there should be an agreement on how long the topic will be discussed so that the person can leave and join again afterwards. Also, there should be trigger topic free discussions.
A: I’d like to share something, trigger warning: grief
B: I can’t deal with that right now, can I come back in 5 minutes?
A: Sure!
*A talks about grief for 5 minutes*
B: *after 5 minutes* Hey, I’m back
*the topic of the conversation gets switched*
3. Even if you’ve put a trigger warning in front of your text, you’re not allowed to discuss traumatic experiences in detail or graphically. Try to focus on how it affected you instead.
I've written all that down in a document that also includes a list of all the topics that should have put a trigger warning in front of them. You can find it here.
In addition to that, I've heard that you'd like to have discussions that don't contain trigger topics. I'll keep that in mind when we create new discussions.
Thank you all for your participation in this discussion and kind messages in the comments. If you have any concerns or questions, please let me know. If you have any concerns or criticism, please use this form and remember to stay constructive.
Take care,
audienta
(updated 10/24/2023)
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@audienta ❤❤🤗❤❤
Hi! I will respectfully stand my ground in using the term “Content Advisory” during the times I facilitate Adult Member Sharing Circles (Wednesdays 8-9 EST). People love my groups. I find the words “trigger” as in the trigger of the gun that killed: Bobby, Sheila, Ivan, Fred, Tran, to be offensive. Therefore, I will not use them during the times I’m facilitating. If you want to fire me, go ahead! Oh, I forgot, I am a dedicated Volunteer. With all due respect,
Patience as in Patience the Cat
@PatienceImpatiens
I understand that you feel upset as your preferred term hasn't been chosen. I hope, you can understand that this is a decision of the majority, as it's not possible to make it perfect for each and every person here on 7 Cups. But I hope that this is a solution you can live with as it would be sad if you decided to quit your job here on 7 Cups because of that.
@audienta
Hi, Audienta,
I was told it wasn't necessary to quit my job. Lol, maybe I should have used that opportunity to ask for a raise but it is what it is. It's words after all and it's my problem. Well, actually, it's a societal problem, especially where I live, and experiences I've had, but yeah. What I mean to say is that I appreciate your efforts in even checking what people prefer. I was told I can continue to use content warning for disturbing or sensitive content, and now I am also modeling giving a space of a minute or so, so people can leave before the sensitive content is presented, when I am facilitating. You know, what I'm happy about is that there are people who actually Care about the words that are used and how they are used. That makes me very happy. Thank you for your work on this, Audienta. You really put a lot into this and I appreciate it.
Kindly, Patience
Hi, Audienta, Thank you for doing this analysis. It would seem that if we used the term Content Warning 45% of the time over a 24 hour time period, and the term Trigger warning 55% of the time over a 24 hour time period, then more of our Community's wishes for terminology could be acknowledged and respected. The minority is also a part of us and should be considered in any terminology shift. This is just how Language works. It shifts to meet the needs of those who use it.
Love and Courage, Tas
@VioletVeritas
Hey Tas,
So do you mean that we should switch between the terms? I think that would be really hard to actually implement. I understand that the minority should be respected, but there were 9 proposed terms and we can't use all of them.
Hmmmm, good question! I wonder what others think!
Love and Courage, Tas
@audienta Yes, in looking at this further, I see that there were 20 responses. My understanding of 7 cups is that there are many more participants than that. I would suggest with such a small sample size, that the terms be "suggested" but not required. Until, perhaps, a larger study were conducted. Hats off to you, Audienta, for your efforts. It's very considerate for you to reach out and actually it was an original post by I think possibly Working it Through, that started this whole journey, based on a study. Worthy and worthwhile discussion, how words affect us.
@VioletVeritas
In the first survey, there were 87 responses and the term "trigger warning" was also the most preferred one. I can't say what's best, but I can say what's the most preferred according to the surveys. And because of that, I recommend that we use the term "trigger warning". However, I think the rules added to the term - how we handle trigger warnings - are more important than the single words.
@audienta
Hi, Audienta,
Tas here. Thank you for clarifying that there were more responses in the initial survey. I think people tend to use terminology that they think will be understood by others. I know this as an English as other language user. In some of my language there are words that cannot be translated into English. Since languages evolve and learn, much like we as humans evolve and learn, I'm grateful to you for creating this space for this discussion, and allowing all the voices who care to be heard about this issue.
Love and Courage, Tas
@VioletVeritas
If you wanted to try using both we could say TW: Domestic Abuse content for example.
Hi, Life Is My Canvas,
Thanks for chiming in! Yet another good idea!
Perhaps that might be confusing? So many ideas! So many ways to express ourselves! So many different words!
When I joined cups years ago, I didn’t even understand why it was necessary to label content that makes people anxious, hot or distressed, giddy with euphoria, or quelling with rage. I’m a writer, so “hooking” my readers with emotions is my bread and butter. But I have come to understand there’s value in keeping the peace rather than grasping for attention. Sweet and calming verbiage, that’s my current goal.
Still don’t like the word “trigger” much, but hey, that’s just me and apparently only a handful of others, so as far as I’m concerned, I’ll just be like Pete the Cat, and keep walking along and singing my song! (And use words I like to use.)
Love and Courage, Tas
@audienta
Thank you for doing this survey and for following through to the end. As for my self I think I will use Content Advisory❤️😊
@WorkingitThrough2
Thank you for giving the input. According to the surveys, I'd recommend using the term "trigger warning", however, I think it's more important that you follow the other rules, like adding the topic after the warning, waiting after a warning in a group support room, and not sharing your thoughts in graphical detail.
@audienta
agree❤️
This is amazing, dear Audi 💙💜thanks a lot for everything that you do.
Much love,
-Angel ♥️
@audienta
@lyricalAngel70
Thank you for your support!
Sorry but I find this absolutely absurd.
Frist of all, I'm not gonna use a TW for my use, I'm an addict I'm rarely sober. Do I have to "TW drinking a glass of wine" continuously? It's annoying first of all and it makes me feel like I'm the bad guy for bringing up my issues. I think this is bordering on snowflake behaviour, people are responsible for their own triggers.
I'm also not gonna agree with someone saying "I'll be back in 5 minutes", this is not sharing circle and the person who is dealing with any of the tw topics on the list (which is a ridiculous list by the way) should get as much time as they need.
@Spockette
Hi Spockette,
I understand that you're not happy with these new guidelines. However, it's important to follow them as we want to keep this community safe and accessible for everyone. People are not responsible for their own trauma and connected triggers and I ask you to be considerate of others even if their experience doesn't equal yours. You are absolutely allowed to share your story, just put a trigger warning like "Trigger warning: consumption of alcohol" in front of it which doesn't hurt you and might keep someone else from feeling bad, getting an urge, or even having a relapse. The same applies to group support chats.
Thank you for being part of this community.
Take care,
audienta
@audienta safe for everyone? Snowflake paradise. I find 75% of that trigger list absolute bs. I refuse to TW everything I say, and make myself feel rushed to talk about it too? Nah. 7cups chat used to be a good place when you had addiction issues, now apparently not and active use seems to be extremely frowned upon.
Also childbirth is a ridiculous thing to tw for, and what even is vent? Did you think of these or was it a group effort, and if so were these personal triggers or triggers that were found to be common? Because this seems like a personal list tbf.
I'm not gonna use a tw, and this system, if people need to step out it's their responsibility, I do that too with my triggers. Yes, it's really that simple.
@Spockette
You're not rushed to share, you can share in the pace you want. I just said that if you share, you should use trigger warnings to keep others safe.
As you were wondering, most of the trigger list comes from this source. The rest are additions from the community which they shared through a survey. As I've explained in another post, childbirth and pregnancy can be a trigger for a lot of people as 1 in 8 pregnancies end in miscarriage (source).
I ask you to follow the community specific guidelines which you can find under the tab "about" on the home page of the trauma community.
These trigger warning guidelines are insane, we cannot possibly avoid everyone's triggers, if someone is triggered by a topic they leave the room and do some self care or mute the conversation, you cannot expect others to limit their sharing time because of one person, that's unfair and just insane to ask.
The trigger warning list is way too detailed and personal, I'm sorry but when my child is born I'm not going to add a trigger warning because I gave birth and want to announce it, the list is crazy.
And I also think people can use whatever term they want to add a tw, if it's content warning or whatever you cannot force people to use specific terms just because "majority" choose the term. You cannot dictate word choice of someone.
@WendyBird14
Hey Wendy. In addition to childbirth, can you share which topics you believe shouldn't be a part of the warnings list?
@Heather225
I believe these topics shouldn't be on the list as they are too personal and not general triggers.
exercise, hospital stays, illness, misdiagnosis, injuries, diseases, needles, pregnancy, childbirth, gaslighting, vent, medication, addiction.
In my opinion these topics are personal triggers and should be dealt with according to current guidelines (where the member leaves the room for self care or mutes the person)
@Heather225
I agree with Wendy on this one :)
@WendyBird14
Trigger warning: miscarriage
Hi Wendy,
The goal of the 5 minute rule is that other chat participants don't get triggered at all. It doesn't keep you from sharing, you're only expected to give a warning and wait for a minute to see if everyone is comfortable with the topic and if not, give the a chance to leave for 5 minutes before getting triggered.
Pregnancy isn't an uncommon trigger. 1 in 8 pregnancies leads to miscarriage and this often leads to trauma which means that a lot of people might be triggered by this topic. This also applies to the other triggers you mention in your next post. Just "exercise" would be too general, but it's already specified as "Exercise regarding weight loss".
Regarding the wording, I've already responded multiple times that it's more important that the other guidelines are followed than that the term is the right one. However, "trigger warning" is recommended as the majority prefers this term.
@audienta
Often times pregnancy also results in a beautiful baby, having to trigger warning something like that makes me feel like my baby is something bad and cant be celebrated, exercise in relation to weightloss is very very specific too and when even not mentioned it being to lose weight can be triggering in that case too, thats why its a bit too much.
asking people if they are comfortable with the topic is just crazy, if they arent you only get 5 minutes because people cant handle their own triggers? you shouldnt have to ask permission to talk about something.
and having a recommended term is just stupid, people can use whatever they want.
In my opinion randomly changing something and making them guidelines is just strange, and I think should only be announced by admin as anyone can claim new guidelines if they arent happy with the current one and say its new.
@WendyBird14
You are allowed to celebrate your baby or talk about exercise, just put a trigger warning in front of it - that doesn't hurt you but might help someone else.
And the 5 minutes are an example, you can also agree on 10 minutes or any time that works for everyone. And yes, I agree that it is easier for you to just talk without being considerate of other members but we're a community and it's necessary to also think about others.
The guidelines regarding trigger warnings were not at all made randomly. We had a discussion about it that started on July 15th, and then there were two surveys (1, 2). It was a long process that included everyone that wanted to be included. Also, the community-specific guidelines are my responsibility as a Community Mentor Leader.
Hi, all,
I've thought a lot about this whole issue of topics that bring us distress and may be upsetting to us, and I realized that one of the reasons I even joined groups like here on 7 cups, is that people will "dare" to talk about whatever it is that is the Elephant in the Room.
It has the effect of demystifying the topic, and also sucks the power of that topic to shut us up, just like that.
I understand that it can also make some people relapse, hide, move away from their computers, and that's what I thought was the whole purpose of any kinds of warnings at all. If we know ourselves so well that we feel we would like to step away when a certain topic is discussed, then we have the space and privilege to do that.
Kindly,
Unloading Blankets, Water, some pots of Honey, and Samosas,
Patience
@PatienceImpatiens
I agree with you, cups should be the safe space where we can talk about our issues without being judged, and i feel like with this new "guideline" we cant, We arent responsible for people their triggers, most of the triggers on the list are personal and too detailed. and people can mute or leave the conversation if needed, like its always been. I get some topics are generally triggering to many people like abuse topics and that i do vote for trigger warnings but not every single topic because someone *might* get triggered, its unfair to those wanting to vent
@PatienceImpatiens
Hi Patience,
I understand this aspect. What do you think about having discussions that are specifically for trigger topics, that are trigger warning free? That would make it possible for people who don't want to be confronted with triggers to join most of the discussions but also enable the people who are okay with trigger topics to speak freely in other discussions.
Take care,
audienta
Hi, Audienta,
I love this idea!
Kindly,
Patience
@PatienceImpatiens
Great! I'll look into making it happen. :)
Audienta— really appreciate your effort and time with this.
Patience
@PatienceImpatiens
My pleasure. Thank you for the idea!
I do understand some people have been through so much and it is very hard for them to deal and they are very triggered by lots of things. Maybe Cups can considerate creating a room where none of the items on the TW list can be talked about, that way, those folks have a very safe place to go while other folks won't feel invalidated, restricted etc and can be open about their experience and receive support. :)
@Jasminerice im pretty sure thats what MCR is XD where people can have lighthearted chats :)
@Jasminerice
Have you been in the Member Community Room or the Free Hugs room? Would that serve this purpose?
I think we still need the discussions on trauma-related topics to be accessible to people who have triggers, that's why this guideline was created.