Influence and Aftermath: Analyzing the Impact of Social Media in the Wake of Charlie Kirk's Death

Tue Sep 16 2025 23:27:29 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The tragic death of conservative figure Charlie Kirk has ignited passionate debates on social media, raising questions about the role of these platforms in shaping public perception and response to violence. This article examines various perspectives on the influence of social media in both the US and abroad.

Charlie Kirk’s death prompted widespread discussion across social media platforms, highlighting how such events influence narratives and communal reactions. The political ramifications are evident, from Republican Governor Spencer Cox condemning social media to movements within both conservative and liberal circles to monitor and respond to inflammatory content. The recent unrest in Nepal further showcases the global effects of digital communication and governmental control over social media. By examining these interconnections, the article emphasizes the pressing need to address the divisive nature of digital platforms.

Charlie Kirk’s mastery of social media was key to his rise as an influence in conservative politics. So the extent to which his death and its aftermath have played out on those forums shouldn’t come as a surprise.

In a microcosm of life today, social media is where Americans have gone to process last week’s killing in Utah. It is the chief tool that Kirk’s supporters are using to police those they feel aren’t offering proper respect. Investigators are probing the time the man accused of killing Kirk, Tyler Robinson, spent in the dark corners of the internet — anti-social media, leading up to the moment he allegedly pulled the trigger.

On the other side of the world, while the Kirk story preoccupied Americans, Nepal reeled from a spasm of violence that erupted when the government attempted to ban social media platforms.

All of this is forcing a closer look at the technologies that have changed our lives, how they influence what we see and understand through algorithms, and the way our time spent on them affects our worldview.

Cox emerges as a powerful spokesman against social media

Utah’s governor, Republican Spencer Cox, observed that “cancer” isn’t a strong enough word to describe social media. “The most powerful companies in the history of the world have figured out how to hack our brains, get us addicted to outrage ... and get us to hate each other,” Cox stated on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Democratic Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii urged Americans via social media to “pull yourself together, read a book, go fishing, or do anything other than let this algo pickle your brain.”

Chilling videos of Kirk’s assassination immediately overwhelmed sites like X, TikTok, and YouTube, and companies are still working to contain their spread. Confrontational content thrives on social media because it keeps people engaged for longer periods of time.

“I do think we’re in a moment here,” said Laura Edelson, a Northeastern University professor. “Our country is being digitally mediated. How we interact with broader society is increasingly happening over feed algorithms.”

Divisive content and the proliferation of the video of Kirk’s death, though unintended, are direct results of profit-maximizing decisions and reduced content moderation, according to Edelson.

Conservative media figure Ben Shapiro, who admired Kirk’s willingness to engage with differing opinions, echoed similar sentiments. “How social media works is a disaster area,” he remarked on a podcast. “It’s making the world a worse place.” He pointed to a bipartisan issue: the overarching narrative of a collective ‘us’ versus ‘them’ in online discussions.

Collecting inflammatory posts from both sides

Media companies have begun to compile inflammatory posts made by individuals on both sides of the political spectrum. While some Republicans have sought to expose negative comments towards Kirk, Democratic voices like Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah have faced backlash for speaking critically about him, claiming her freedom of expression was crushed.

GOP Rep. Randy Fine of Florida encouraged social media users to report negative sentiments towards Kirk from public employees, indicating that the conflict has become deeply personal for many.

The role of social media and cable TV in sowing division is evident, as Democratic Texas lawmaker James Talarico stated, “We’ve got to find our way back to each other because that’s the only way we can continue this American experiment.”

From misinformed narratives surrounding elections to other pressing societal topics, the content propagated online has fueled societal division — a theme echoed in recent protests around the injustices linked to social media censorship in Nepal.

As technology continues to shape these dialogues, the potential for positive change appears limited without significant industry reform, as users become increasingly aware of social media's adverse impacts.