A Watershed Moment: Why the UK Must Strengthen Social Media Regulation for Children

Over the past 24 hours, a deeply disturbing video showing the assassination of American commentator, Charlie Kirk, has circulated widely across social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram. Despite some platforms applying age restrictions and warning labels, many young people in the UK were exposed to this graphic content and often without warning, consent, or context.

This is not just another viral moment. It is a watershed moment. One that demands urgent attention from parents, schools, and policymakers.

Charlie Kirk (Photo by Gage Skidmore on Flickr)

A Personal Encounter That Brought It Home

Earlier today, I was filming at a school - a place that should feel safe, structured, and protected. During a break, a few students I was working with asked me, “Have you seen the video of Charlie Kirk being shot?” I said no. Their response? “Do you want to see it?”

I was stunned. Not just by the fact that they had seen it, but by how casually they spoke about it. This is literally a video of a man being murdered and yet, for these young people, it had become just another piece of content to share, react to, and move on from.

This moment shook me. It revealed how desensitised some young people are becoming to violence online - not because they’re callous, but because they’re constantly exposed to content that no child should ever have to process. It’s not their fault. It’s the fault of a system that allows such content to circulate freely, without adequate safeguards.

The Unfiltered Reality of Social Media

Unlike traditional media, social platforms operate on algorithms designed to maximise engagement, not safety. Videos autoplay. Content is served up based on popularity, not appropriateness. And once a child sees something traumatic, it cannot be unseen.

The mental health impact of such exposure is profound. According to a 2025 study by the Mental Health Foundation, 68% of young people aged 16–21 reported seeing harmful or disturbing content online, including suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, racism, and bullying. These experiences are not rare, they are becoming routine.

And the consequences are serious. Exposure to graphic or distressing content has been linked to increased anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and long-term psychological harm. A separate study by King’s College London found that the proportion of 17–19-year-olds with a probable mental disorder rose from 10% to 26% between 2017 and 2022, with social media cited as a major contributing factor.

The UK’s Response: Progress, But Not Enough

The UK government has made strides with the Online Safety Act, which came fully into force in July 2025. Platforms now have a legal duty to protect children from harmful content, including violence, self-harm, and hate speech. Ofcom, the designated regulator, has begun enforcing these duties and can impose fines or even block services that fail to comply.

However, the response to the Charlie Kirk video reveals the limitations of current enforcement. No UK legal ban was issued. Platforms acted based on internal policies, not government directives. On Telegram and other loosely regulated platforms, the video spread largely unimpeded.

This highlights a critical gap: regulation is only as strong as its enforcement, and enforcement is only as effective as the tools and resources behind it.

Why This Moment Matters

This is not just about one video. It’s about a systemic failure to protect children from content that can traumatise, desensitise, or radicalise. It’s about recognising that digital spaces are real spaces, and they are shaping our children’s minds every day.

We must demand stronger enforcement of existing laws, with faster response times and clearer accountability. Mandatory content warnings and opt-in settings for graphic material. Greater transparency from platforms about how harmful content is moderated and robust education for parents and schools on digital literacy and mental health.

What Parents and Schools Can Do Today

·      Talk to your children about what they see online. Don’t wait for them to bring it up.

·      Use parental controls and age filters, but understand their limitations.

·      Advocate for stronger regulation through your school, local council, or MP.

·      Support organisations working to improve online safety and youth mental health.

·      Integrate digital wellbeing into your school’s PSHE curriculum or pastoral care strategy.

Let’s not wait for another tragedy to act. The online world is not separate from real life - it is real life. And it’s time we reclaimed it for our children.