True crime has now become mainstream media, and has taken its place as one of the most popular genres in podcasts today. Popular true crime podcasts set the scene for what’s to come, often using clickbaiting to attract the attention of their viewers and keep them engrossed in the episode.
“It’s processing in your brain that all of this really happened. At first it’s like ‘this is interesting’ then it’s ‘wait, this actually happened to people,’” said Diana Aguilar, 11.
According to Nebraska University, some viewers may tend to believe that they have some sort of ability to actually solve a case, regularly taking to social media platforms like Reddit and X (formally Twitter) to leave their findings or theories. Excessive exposure to this type of content can lead to a parasocial connection, a one-sided relationship where only one party feels there is a personal bond, between viewers and victims. Viewers feel that these relationships don’t stem from the amount of time you watch true crime, but instead how you spend the rest of your free time.
“I think that it’s completely fine to watch true crime often. You could watch it however often you’d like, just don’t let it take over your life. Have other hobbies too,” said Isabella Hale, 10.
Over time, exclusive attention to gruesome and dark themes have proven to take a toll on a person’s psychological well-being. Terms such as the “Mean World Syndrome” have been created to identify the mass of paranoia and anxiety that can be developed. Commonly described as a blurred differentiation between reality and a more hostile view of your surroundings, it’s most often seen in individuals with a heavy exposure to violence.
“I think humans have always been intrigued by dark, strange, or taboo things. It’s part of trying to make sense of the unpredictable parts of life. And a lot of people like the social justice aspect of the shows: mysteries solved, criminals caught, victims honored–That emotional resolution is satisfying and reassuring,” said Crystal Marquez, counselor.
Although psychologists cannot fully back up the claim that true crime has consistently caused mental health effects, the concern and worry for the current generations still remain. Psychologists warn and ask the current youth to regulate their consumption of any violent media.
“An inconspicuous tension, surrounded by the eeriness of soft music, frames the structure for your typical true crime episode. Unusual and oftentimes gruesome cases are relayed in the timeframe of 30 minutes, all under the pretense of spreading awareness. Even so, the effects of this type of content have been a topic of concern for various psychologists,” Marquez said
