The Proliferation of Graphic Violence Online: A Threat to Society, Politics, and Mental Health
The aftermath of a shooting at Utah Valley University, where conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was targeted, has sparked widespread discussion about the impact of graphic violence in digital media. Minutes following the incident, videos depicting the bullet strike went viral online, amassing millions of views.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox expressed concerns about this phenomenon at a press conference, stating, “The human psyche is not equipped to handle such violent imagery. It’s detrimental to our well-being and should not be consumed.”
In the digital age, exposure to graphic footage like that of Kirk’s shooting was often unavoidable for many viewers. The event was livestreamed, and thousands in attendance had smartphones, allowing the dissemination of graphic content without active search. Social media feeds became a conduit for this disturbing material, with some videos playing automatically.
Emerson Brooking, director of strategy and senior resident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab, highlighted this trend, explaining that “violent imagery and social media have become increasingly intertwined.”
Throughout history, graphic violence has circulated online, from ISIS propaganda videos depicting hostage executions to first-person footage of mass shootings, as well as scenes of war. However, viewers previously had to seek out such content intentionally. Nowadays, that’s no longer the case.
After the shooting in Utah, Roxane Cohen Silver, a professor of psychology, public health, and medicine at the University of California, Irvine, emphasized the need for vigilance among viewers. Silver studies the mental and physical health impacts of traumatic events, including terrorist attacks, school shootings, and natural disasters.
She affirmed that repeated exposure to graphic imagery is harmful, citing distress, anxiety, emotional numbness, nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, symptoms of acute stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder as potential outcomes. In her research since the Columbine High School shooting, Silver found no psychological benefits to viewing graphic, violent images.
The ubiquity of such content in today’s political climate has raised concerns about its impact on public opinion. Nicole Hemmer, a political historian at Vanderbilt University, noted that “graphic violent media is an integral part of politics now.” She explained that exposure to this kind of content can lead to heightened emotions, feelings of fear and vulnerability, and calls for revenge.
Hemmer expressed worry about certain individuals exploiting these gruesome videos to boost their online presence. She stated, “Social media, where these images are shared, rewards extreme content. People aren’t just sharing it out of a desire for communal witnessing; they’re gaining followers and profit from it.”
This practice has fostered an “outrage cycle” in which individuals sharing the most graphic footage gain influence within their social media ecosystems. Lilliana Mason, a political science professor at Johns Hopkins University, warned that such content could normalize violence in politics and society. However, her research indicates that while 80-90% of Americans oppose using violence to achieve political goals, this number drops significantly when considering retaliation if the opposing party initiates violent acts first.
Mason’s studies reveal that a majority of Americans are reluctant to instigate violence but may become more accepting of it once violence has already occurred. Hemmer also highlighted this trend, stating, “Nobody wants to start violence, but if violence has already begun, then people are much more open to engaging in it.”
In conclusion, the proliferation of graphic violent content online has raised concerns about its impact on public opinion and attitudes towards political violence. While the majority of Americans oppose using violence to achieve political goals, they may become more accepting once retaliation is involved. This trend, coupled with individuals exploiting such footage for personal gain, has fueled an “outrage cycle” that could further normalize violent acts in politics and society.