A graphic video depicting the assassination of Charlie Kirk made its way across social media last week, making it hard for younger users to avoid exposure to such violence.
Thanks to autoplay features on platforms like X and friends circulating the footage in group chats, teens—both supportive and critical of conservative figures—witnessed the brutal event. This sparked renewed calls for stricter online safety laws concerning graphic content and its implications for schools.
Kelly Benjamin, a media and technology professional and a parent of two, learned about the assassination through his daughter, a high school sophomore.
“As a parent, it’s alarming when your kid mentions they’ve seen someone die in such a horrific way,” he said, expressing concerns about the potential desensitization to violence that teens may experience from such footage.
The video was nearly unavoidable for anyone active on social media the previous Wednesday, circulating from various angles and sometimes slowed down for closer scrutiny.
The prohibition on phones in schools may have shielded some students from immediate exposure, though many young Americans remained the target demographic for this shocking content.
“We must unanimously denounce political violence,” stated Utah Governor Spencer Cox, emphasizing a need for resolutions to escalating tensions. He highlighted how social media algorithms inadvertently spread the video, potentially harming children’s mental health.
Kimberly Cantu, superintendent of Mansfield Independent School District in Texas, shared her experience guiding students through trauma, particularly after a school shooting in 2021. She noted that reactions to the Kirk video are significant, suggesting that some students are indeed grappling with its implications.
“We have strong support systems in place, from traditional school counselors to crisis counselors ready to assist at the campus level,” Cantu explained. “We also have district-wide teams that can provide additional support.”
In Chula Vista, California, an AP government teacher faced disciplinary action for showing the assassination video in class.
According to Benjamin, while his daughter’s teachers have not formally addressed the video, students are actively discussing it among themselves.
“There’s been no official communication about it at her school, but it’s definitely a hot topic among her friends,” he noted.
Lawmakers are concerned about the footage and are advocating for its removal from platforms like X, where it plays automatically without user prompting.
“I am urging @elonmusk, @finkd, and @tiktok_us to eliminate the disturbing video of Charlie Kirk’s murder. He had a family—no one should have to relive such a tragedy online,” one lawmaker expressed.
The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) was previously proposed in Congress to bolster protections for children online but was defeated in 2024 over concerns about free speech implications.
Educators and parents are engaging young people in discussions about their experiences and emotions related to the footage, but without platform investments in safety, protecting children from inappropriate content remains challenging. “They must take further actions, like rolling back legal protections for social media companies to enhance accountability,” Weingarten argued.
Experts emphasize the importance of proactive measures by schools and parents in addressing these distressing events.
“We’re diligently working to educate kids on features like turning off autoplay and reducing endless scrolling,” one expert stated. “Teaching them how to report and mute harmful posts is also crucial.”
“While these strategies won’t eliminate all exposure to traumatic images, they certainly help mitigate the impact,” she added. “Encouraging a brief pause before sharing emotionally charged content could really make a difference.”
