SPOKANE, Wash. – Parents are expressing concern over the exposure of violent content to their children on social media platforms like X and TikTok, especially following recent videos of the Charlie Kirk shooting.
A 2024 study by the Youth Endowment Fund revealed that 70% of teenage children encountered real life violent content in their online spaces in 2023.
The apparent rise in violent content has left some parents wondering how to protect their children.
Lexi Butterfield, a mother of young kids, shared her plans.
“Put it off as long as they possibly can, but also, just educate them about it, because it’s something they are going to be exposed to no matter what,” Butterfield said.
Butterfield said her social media feed, like many others, is currently filled with content related to Charlie Kirk’s Shooting at UVU.
Searching for Charlie Kirk on X yields thousands of videos, many found unprompted by users.
“People have access and it’s unfiltered access,” Dr. Alison Holman, Professor of Nursing and Psychology at UC Irvine.
Holman highlighted the risks associated with consuming violent and graphic images via “doomscrolling” or excessive scrolling on social media.
“When they do that, they are at greater risk for experiencing what are called acute stress symptoms, which are early post traumatic stress symptoms,” Holman said.
NonStop Local also heard from several parents, who had concerns on how violent content appears on their children’s pages.
In some cases, people repost and re-share the violent content.
Social media companies have policies in place to restrict access to inappropriate content for younger users. Meta, for instance, states, “We restrict the ability for younger users to see content that may not be suitable or age-appropriate for them.”
Despite these measures, videos can still circulate before being taken down, leaving children vulnerable.
Holman suggests parents play a crucial role in helping their children navigate this exposure.
“Especially, you know, reassure them that you are there to protect them and that you are going to help them,” Holman said.
Holman also advises parents to prepare their kids with tools and techniques before exposure.
“Discourage doom scrolling. Encourage your kids to use some mindfulness techniques,” she said.
As for Butterfield, she explained she wants to be aware of the potential harm, and prioritize listening to her children.
“That’s kind of the best way to deal with the problem is knowing about the problem,” Butterfield said, “So yeah, I want them to feel like they can tell me anything.”
Violent imagery impacts not only children but everyone, according to Holman.
She advises being attentive to signs of stress, such as shortness of breath or a racing heart, and taking breaks from Social Media when needed.
