Protecting kids from harmful online content after Charlie Kirk shooting
By Kayla James
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DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Following the shooting of Charlie Kirk, videos showing the assassination have been circulating across social media platforms. The videos have been seen by people who weren’t even looking for them, including children.
According to Iowa State University professor of electrical and computer engineering, Doug Jacobson, it’s a monumental task for social media companies to take those videos down.
“Once it gets flagged as mature content, then your parental controls would come into play,” said Jacobson.
However, until then, Jacobson says the videos showing the shooting of Kirk will show up unless companies take action. Jacobson says typically, unless it’s something that an automated system can detect, social media platforms have a dilemma.
“It’s very difficult to look at every post that is made on these social platforms,” Jacobson said.
Jacobson tells KCCI the large number of sources posting the different videos makes it difficult to report and limit them all.
“It’s one thing if some random Facebook user put something on their page and there’s a bunch of complaints,” Jacobson said.
The best thing people can do for now, Jacobson says, is to report the videos they see.
He also says when it comes to kids, parents and guardians may need to have a discussion with them, which is something licensed mental health counselor Breanna Young agrees with.
“We don’t want to impose our own language or our own visions of what we’re seeing and hearing,” said Young, who is a counselor with B&G Mental Health Counseling & Consulting. “We want to hear what they’re actually experiencing.”
Young says it’s important to give kids their space and time to feel in their own ways.
She also says parents or guardians should talk to them in their own language. Young tells KCCI that language can sound different for each child and each age range, such as elementary-aged students.
“You know, just asking kiddos, ‘What are you seeing on TikTok or on YouTube? What are your friends talking about? Have you heard anything scary in the news lately?'” Young said. “Again, just asking that and not imposing your own language.”
Young says that by doing it this way, it gives kids and teens the chance to express their feelings.
However, if that’s not being done and parents or guardians are concerned, Young says there are signs to be on the lookout for.
“Changes in kids are really good indicators that something is upsetting them that they’re not always talking about,” Young said. “Other signs could be things like excessive clinginess, withdrawal, isolation and sleepless nights, nightmares, and just moodiness overall.”
If parents or guardians are overwhelmingly concerned, Young tells KCCI it’s important to remember that help is always an option.
“If parents feel like they’re outside of the realm of their comfort, or maybe it’s a little bit more than what they can handle, asking for help is really important as well. Whether it’s through a school guidance counselor, school official, teachers can help with that, too,” said Young, who also listed church pastors, coaches, and mental health counselors. “Right now we have an entire nation that’s dealing with very similar images.”
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