9 Nov 2025

Do trigger warnings spike intrigue or deter?

From Sunday Morning, 11:20 am on 9 November 2025

Trigger warnings at the head of articles are becoming more common, but do they change behaviour?  A recent study has shown they’re more likely to intrigue than dissuade people from reading further.   

Research lead and lecturer in psychology at Adelaide’s Flinders University, Dr Victoria Bridgland is with Jim to discuss the research and the arguments for and against trigger warnings. 

Picture of a woman clicking on a 'trigger warning' icon.

Do trigger warnings work, or do they just make you want to read the story? Photo: 123RF / RNZ