Well you voiced and opinion on them being full of trash, it seems a bit silly to have an opinion about something you know very little about, it sort of makes the opinion utterly worthless.
So you don't read any news at all? Because it is trash? How do you find out whats going on in the word/the UK etc.. forum posts and social media or something?
Anyway, though it might seem like an alien concept, some people do like to keep themselves informed and having newspapers and other sources available on tablets, phones etc.. is rather useful in that respect.
You commented on whether he actively sought out such things and commented on potential effects on his mental health.
I'm pouting out that you don't need to actively seek out these things, merely keeping yourself informed by reading a variety of mainstream news sources will expose you to them as per the publications I emanated previously that have featured the story. You're commenting on the thread yourself so I'm not sure you're in any position to talk about being sucked into things given that all the OP is doing is commenting too, albeit on the story rather than some meta discussion.