For many Americans, the chilling moment of witnessing the brutal assassination of Charlie Kirk will remain etched in their memories. The disturbing video rapidly circulated on X (formerly Twitter), making it nearly impossible to avoid and impossible to forget. This incident is particularly poignant as it coincided with the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a time when the nation reflects on the psychological impact of traumatic experiences. Unlike the singular event of 9/11, today's violence is incessantly presented in an unending stream of shocking images—ranging from shootings to bombings—delivered in real time through social media feeds.
This perpetual exposure to graphic violence has become a normal aspect of daily life online. Each new video adds to an already polarized and anxious society, rewiring how people process violence and perceive the world around them. On Elon Musk's X, the absence of strict content moderation has transformed the platform into a seamless conduit for the most disturbing material imaginable, effectively making it a digital town square where shocking content is omnipresent.
As the boundaries of acceptable content blur, the implications are profound. Unlike platforms with more stringent content guidelines, X's retreat from moderation allows graphic material to proliferate unchecked. Even on other social media sites where rules are enforced, the challenges of moderating content during breaking news events create gray areas that can be easily exploited.
The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist, was not an isolated incident. He was killed while addressing a group of college students and subsequently broadcasted to millions online. This act of violence was compounded by a surge of online outrage following the stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, on a Charlotte train, which was also captured on surveillance video and disseminated widely across social media.
In addition, images of civilians suffering in conflict zones, such as Gaza, have flooded the internet for nearly two years, contributing to a toxic discourse. These incidents collectively highlight a disturbing reality: our brains are not equipped to process such relentless exposure to graphic violence.
Psychologists have identified that repeated exposure to graphic violence online can result in vicarious trauma—manifesting as PTSD-like symptoms in individuals who witness suffering indirectly through their screens. A 2021 study revealed that merely viewing coverage of mass shootings on television or social media heightened the risk of PTSD symptoms among the general population, including those with no direct connection to the events.
The situation is particularly alarming for younger audiences. As children increasingly access smartphones and social media from a young age, the risks associated with exposure to violent content are significantly amplified. Researchers warn that adolescents are especially prone to developing anxiety, depression, and desensitization as a result of continuous exposure to online violence.
In response to the disturbing content surrounding Charlie Kirk's assassination, Roblox, a popular online gaming platform among youth, took action by removing over 100 in-game experiences that violated community standards. This highlights the need for platforms to be vigilant in protecting users from harmful content.
The U.S. has experienced waves of political violence throughout its history, notably during the 1960s when assassinations and bombings reshaped the national landscape. However, the way we consume news has drastically changed. In contrast to the past, where shocking events were reported through newspapers or the evening news, today’s content is available in a continuous cycle on our devices. The grainy footage of JFK's assassination is a stark contrast to the high-definition videos that flood social media today.
Coupled with extreme partisanship and the rise of conspiracy theories—amplified by algorithms that favor sensational content—society is becoming increasingly vulnerable to radicalization. As we navigate this complex landscape, it is crucial to understand the implications of our digital consumption and its effects on mental health and societal stability.
