The Daily Aus The lasting impacts of the viral Charlie Kirk video
Sep 14, 2025
Dr. Rachael Sharman, a Senior lecturer in psychology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, discusses the aftermath of a violent viral video involving conservative activist Charlie Kirk. She explores the psychological impact of such content on young people, emphasizing risks of desensitization and anxiety. The conversation highlights the importance of critical dialogues led by parents and educators to help youth process traumatic events and develop empathy. Additionally, they consider the challenges of regulating graphic content on social media, especially for minors.
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Viral Violence Is Hard To Contain
- Graphic footage of real violence spreads extremely fast and often cannot be fully contained online.
- Dr. Rachael Sharman says society must accept this reality unless better technological or regulatory solutions emerge.
Shield Young Children Proactively
- Protect pre-teens from graphic content because they lack the brain capacity to contextualise rare violent events.
- Expect fear, anxiety and behaviour changes like locking doors or refusing to go out after exposure.
Peer Reactions Drive Teen Responses
- Teenagers often mirror peers' reactions to shocking clips due to social contagion and a desire to fit in.
- This peer-driven response shapes whether they treat the content as a joke or a tragedy.