Utah Governor Urges Public to Disconnect from Social Media

This week, the governor of Utah has asked the public to reconsider their social media usage in light of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. He described platforms like X, Facebook, and TikTok as a “cancer of our society,” advising citizens to “expose themselves to the grass.”

Governor Spencer Cox expressed concern over the disturbing images of the 31-year-old conservative activist’s assassination still circulating online. He regarded such content as cruel and potentially harmful to mental health.

“As a species, we haven’t really adapted to manage these kinds of violent images. We’re just not wired for it historically and biologically,” he explained.

Cox, who is currently serving his second term, also recalled a violent incident involving a Ukrainian refugee in North Carolina, emphasizing the negative impact of seeing such distressing events unfold.

“It’s not beneficial to watch human murder,” he stated. “It’s unhealthy for us.” He further critiqued social media, calling it a serious problem that drains our wellbeing.

“I encourage everyone to log off, get outside, connect with family, and engage positively in the community,” he reiterated, highlighting the importance of stepping away from digital distractions.

Diving deeper into the conversation, Cox shared various quotes attributed to Kirk. One particular quote emphasized staying grounded amidst chaos: “Turn off your phone, read the Bible, spend time with friends, and remember that internet anger isn’t real life.”

He described the situation as a “basin in American history,” referencing the assassination and calling on the public to reflect on the implications. “Are we at the end of a dark chapter in our history, or the start of a new one?” he questioned.

The governor posed a challenging choice for society: “We can escalate or we can find a way out,” urging people to opt for the latter.