The killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and the recent stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee are just two examples in which violent and graphic video circulated online almost instantly, raising questions about the impact of such exposure on public mental health and potential criminal behavior.
Many news organizations, including Scripps News, have policies in place governing when and what graphic videos they air. These guidelines are designed to protect victims, victims' families and viewers from unnecessary exposure to violence.
But social media platforms don't always follow the same guidelines, and that's having an impact on people's mental health and sense of safety.
Instant access to violence
Millions of people watched the moment Kirk was shot and killed during a speaking event in Utah. Video of the shooting immediately circulated on X, TikTok and other social media platforms.
That easy access to violent videos on computers and phones is leading to chronic stress in Americans, according to clinical psychologist and trauma expert Dr. Robyn Koslowitz.
"You're scrolling TikTok and all of a sudden an image just hits you between the eyes and that's terrifying," Koslowitz said.
Koslowitz says watching a shooting or attack online is traumatic — even if you weren't directly involved.
"The part of our brain that mediates our stress and trauma response doesn't really know the difference between something happening miles away and something happening right in front of you," she said.
Copycat concerns
Dr. Alex del Carmen, a criminologist with Tarleton State University, says these videos can potentially provide online inspiration to someone looking to commit a crime, in effect creating a copycat.
"The effect is on individuals that are on the border of actually just turning around and committing a violent act," del Carmen said. "They watch it, and once they watch, they develop or they solidify their technique and their style."
Del Carmen says watching the raw footage of an actual criminal act has a greater impact than the fictitious crimes you'd see in video games or in the movies.
"So in other words, there's some distinction between the quasi-reality and the real act," he said.
Research on violence exposure
One study from the National Academy of Sciences looked at the Boston Marathon bombings. It found that the more hours people were exposed to news sites, videos and images in the aftermath, the more stress people felt overall.
The authors say not to avoid news altogether, but to monitor your own social media exposure, avoid doomscrolling and not to spread graphic images online.
Expert tips for managing exposure
If you're struggling with how to deal with violent videos you see online, experts have a few tips:
- Take regular breaks from social media
- Read news updates rather than just watching videos
- For parents, make sure you're using parental controls on your children's devices
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
