Distressing Exposure to Violent Content: A Teacher's Concern

A high school teacher in Auckland, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has expressed deep concern over the unintended exposure of her students to graphic video footage of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. One 13-year-old student reportedly told her during class, Miss, I can’t get the picture out of my head. This incident highlights a growing issue with the spread of violent content on social media platforms and its impact on young New Zealanders.

The teacher, who asked not to be identified by name or the name of her school, shared that multiple students in her classes, including those aged 13 and 15, had viewed detailed video footage of the assassination. The footage, which included high-resolution images of Kirk’s neck wound, was shared widely on platforms such as TikTok shortly after the shooting, even before Kirk’s death was officially confirmed.

Normalisation of Violence

The teacher expressed her fear that violent content on social media is becoming increasingly normalized for young people. This assertion is supported by research from the New Zealand Classification Office, which highlights the growing prevalence of violent content on online platforms. She accused social media companies of having abysmal moderation efforts, pointing out that despite claims by these companies that they prohibit violent content, such material still spreads rapidly and is often left unmonitored.

Impact on Students

According to the teacher, some students found it difficult to refocus on their studies after witnessing the video. She emphasized the emotional toll it took on her students, saying, I just gave them the space to not be okay for a little bit and just to take a break from the work we were doing. She expressed her distress over the graphic nature of the content her students had been exposed to, stating, I said, you’re not meant to see things like that. That’s not something any of us should be watching.

Phone Policy and Accessibility

Despite the school’s policy of banning phones during class, which the teacher supports, she noted that students can easily glance at their devices before school or during breaks. This accessibility, she argues, contributes to the ease with which students are exposed to violent content.

Broader Concerns

The teacher also highlighted the broader issue of violent content being normalized on social media. She mentioned that footage of brutal fights between students, both inside and outside of school, frequently circulates online. This, she believes, contributes to a culture where such violence is seen as more acceptable or even routine.

Call for Action

With the increasing prevalence of violent content on social media, the teacher called for more proactive measures by platforms to protect young users. She emphasized that current moderation efforts are only taken after the fact, rather than preventing such content from being shared in the first place.

As the debate over the role of social media in shaping young minds continues, the experiences of teachers and students like those in this Auckland school serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for change.