The recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the brutal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee has not only sent shockwaves through communities but have also raised serious mental health concerns due to the graphic nature of the content circulating online. According to therapists, repeatedly viewing such traumatizing images can have long-lasting psychological effects, particularly for the younger generation. Aida Shahnazarian, a therapist at Horizon Recovery, stressed to FOX 10 Phoenix that the quest for social media popularity could make young people overlook the trauma caused by sharing and viewing these violent events.
The pervasive spreading of violent content online presents a stark contrast to earlier times when such footage was either not shown or heavily filtered on live television. "Now it's in that moment, you're witnessing things, and there's no filtration system to that," Shahnazarian explained. She further cautioned against the desensitizing effect of repeated exposure to violence, highlighting that long-term mental health could be at stake. On helping people break from these disturbing cycles, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox suggested logging off and engaging in real-world activities to maintain a healthy psychological state.
Howard University assistant professor of psychology GiShawn Mance added another layer to the conversation, pointing out the shock and negative psychological impact of unexpected violent images in the feeds. "Essentially, your central nervous system is reacting and responding and is activated," Mance said, recommending breaks from social media to reset. Her advice came in a discussion with NBC News, where she emphasized the importance of engaging in calming activities to help counteract the effects of disturbing footage.
While social media platforms are aware of the content circulating on their feeds, their responses vary. Meta, for example, has stated it will not necessarily remove the videos showing the killing of Kirk, opting instead to label such content as "sensitive" and restricting it to users 18 and up. On the other hand, TikTok claims it does not allow content that is gory or extremely violent, though certain exceptions are made for material that is under a "public interest exception." According to FOX 10, despite their policies, the ability of disturbing content to spread quickly and freely remains a concern for the mental well-being of users.
As these disturbing images continue to find their way into social media feeds, the dialogue around psychological safety online becomes more pertinent. Professionals across the board are advocating for a balance between staying informed and protecting one's mental health. Both Aida Shahnazarian and GiShawn Mance remind us that while these traumatic events may feel distant, the effects are immediate, and self-care in the face of such content should not be underestimated. Resources, they affirm, are available for those feeling the weight of these violent times.
