When Violence Finds Us Through Screens: Healing from Secondary Trauma
/In our current world, many of us experience trauma not only by being physically present at a violent event, but also through what we see, hear, and read in its aftermath. The recent news and circulating images of Charlie Kirk’s death are a reminder of this reality. Even if we weren’t there in person, witnessing violence through screens can leave us shaken, fearful, and heavy with emotion.
For some, these moments evoke sadness and grief. For others, they stir anger, numbness, or even a conflicted sense of justice. And for many, the constant stream of arguments and posts on social media can intensify the pain. Our responses are human, and they reflect how overwhelming it can be to hold so many perspectives and emotions at once.
Why We Feel It So Deeply
Our brains and bodies don’t always distinguish between what we see firsthand and what we experience indirectly. Images of violence, especially when they are replayed across news outlets and social feeds, can trigger the same fight, flight, or freeze responses as if we had been there. This is sometimes called secondary trauma or vicarious trauma. It can leave us feeling unsafe in our communities, disconnected from others, or worn down by the intensity of public discourse.
The Added Weight of Social Media
Social media often amplifies trauma. Instead of giving us space to grieve, it can:
Flood us with repeated images and headlines we can’t unsee
Expose us to polarized arguments that dismiss or attack our feelings
Pressure us to “take a side” when our inner world may be more complex
Create a cycle of outrage and exhaustion that leaves us feeling powerless
The very place many of us go for connection can sometimes increase our sense of isolation.
Signs You May Be Carrying This Trauma
Heightened vigilance or fear in everyday life
Intrusive thoughts or images of what you saw online
Emotional numbness when new tragedies appear
Anger or irritability that spills into daily interactions
Feeling overwhelmed by the arguments and hostility on social platforms
If you recognize yourself in these experiences, you are not alone.
Steps Toward Healing
Set boundaries online: Limit your exposure to distressing posts and arguments. Curate your feed so it serves your well-being.
Name your feelings: Whether it’s grief, anger, fear, or indifference, acknowledging your reactions is part of healing.
Seek safe spaces: Connect with people who can listen without judgment, whether friends, family, or a therapist.
Ground your body: Small practices like breathing exercises, walking, journaling can calm your nervous system.
Balance with hope: Look for signs of care, resilience, and humanity, even in small ways. These reminders can soften the weight of despair.
Remembering Our Shared Humanity
Each time tragedy strikes, we are faced with both the pain of division and the reminder of how deeply interconnected we are. Social media may amplify our fractures, but it can also become a place to share compassion and solidarity. Healing begins when we recognize the impact these images and arguments have on us, and when we choose to respond with care to ourselves and for one another.