Utah governor calls social media a ‘cancer’: Pleads for the public to log off platforms

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by GEOFF HARRIS | The National News Desk

OREM, UTAH – SEPTEMBER 12: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at a press conference following the fatal shooting of political activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University on September 12, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Authorities announced that the suspect who shot and killed Kirk while he was speaking at an event for his “American Comeback Tour” has been apprehended and is in police custody. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (TNND) — In the wake of political activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Utah Governor Spencer Cox strongly criticized the role of social media in fueling radicalization among young Americans. Speaking Friday, Cox called social media a “cancer” and expressed deep concern over the widespread availability of violent content online.

“This is not good for us. It is not good to consume,” Cox said, referring to graphic footage of Kirk’s killing that quickly spread across platforms.

Cox also referenced the recent murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte train—a violent incident that similarly circulated online within hours. He warned that repeated exposure to such content is harmful, noting that “we have not evolved in a way that we are capable of processing those types of violent imagery.”

Authorities have identified Tyler Robinson as the suspect in Kirk’s assassination, and Cox stated that Robinson had shown increasing political extremism in the lead-up to the shooting. Cox urged Americans to disconnect from social media, saying:
“Log off, turn off, touch grass, hug a family member.”

Meanwhile, in Colorado, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported that 16-year-old Desmond Holly, who shot two students before taking his own life earlier this week, appears to have been radicalized through an extremist online network.

“There’s a lot of places to look,” said Jacki Kelley, Public Affairs Specialist for the sheriff’s office. “Looking at his social media pages. Searching his room. Searching his backpack. Searching his locker.”

Derrick Green, a communications expert at Cedarville University, emphasized the growing risk of online exposure to extremist content, noting that the sheer number of platforms today makes it far easier for users—especially young ones—to encounter harmful material.

“You’re significantly more likely to be exposed to things you wouldn’t have maybe 10–15 years ago,” Green explained.

He stressed the importance of media literacy education from an early age:
“So that they become adults who are media literate—and not adults who are radicalized by social media.”

A recent Pew Research Center survey supports those concerns. About one in five teenagers reported that social media negatively affects their mental health, and nearly half said the platforms have a harmful impact on people their age.

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