This chapter introduces the concept of remote exposure to trauma (RET), situating it in the context of unprecedented global connectivity and media saturation. In an era where wars, natural disasters, and violent crises unfold in real time on digital screens, individuals are increasingly exposed to traumatic events from afar. The chapter explores how this exposure, though physically indirect, can produce psychologically direct impacts, especially for individuals with personal, cultural, or identity-based ties to the affected regions. Drawing on real-world examples and recent empirical evidence, the introduction argues that RET constitutes a distinct phenomenon deserving scholarly and clinical attention. It outlines key mechanisms through which distant witnessing exerts psychological tolls (such as empathy, emotional contagion, and identity salience) and raises foundational questions for the chapters to come. The chapter closes with a preview of the book’s structure and overarching questions, including how RET differs from other forms of trauma, who is most vulnerable, and what can be done to mitigate its effects.