Australia is facing renewed scrutiny over online safety after multiple teenagers reported seeing unfiltered footage of US political commentator Charlie Kirk’s assassination without any warning on Saturday morning.
The shocking event occurred earlier this week at a university in Utah, where Kirk—a prominent right-wing figure and close ally of Donald Trump—was fatally shot in front of a live audience.
High school students in Melbourne and Sydney told ABC News the video appeared abruptly in their Instagram and TikTok feeds. “It was the first thing I saw when I woke up on Saturday,” said a 16-year-old. “I froze—I couldn’t understand why such a graphic video was right there without any warning.” A 15-year-old girl described the clip: “Some versions were blurred, but others clearly showed the blood and the gunshot moment. It was horrifying, and I felt sick.”
Curtin University internet culture expert Professor Tama Leaver warned that while violent videos are not new, social media accelerates their spread and complicates oversight. “A proposed under-16 social media ban might limit immediate exposure but cannot stop videos from being shared through private messages or smaller platforms,” he said.
Meta confirmed it has applied age restrictions and content warnings to some versions of the video. Australia’s eSafety Commission said it has received dozens of complaints, urging people not to share or repost the footage under any circumstances. Officials warned that even sharing it to “raise awareness” can amplify psychological harm, especially among minors and vulnerable individuals.
The incident has sparked renewed debate about platform accountability, digital literacy education, and whether Australia’s social media regulations go far enough to protect young users from traumatic content.
