How Social Media Fuels Collective Trauma

The recent shooting and death of a well-known political activist has sparked strong emotions nationwide. As a therapist, I believe what’s often overlooked is the collective trauma fueled by social media.

Collective trauma is a shared experience of a catastrophic event that affects entire communities, nations, or societies. It disrupts social structures, creates widespread distress, and leaves lasting marks on identity and memory. My greatest concern is how this trauma damages our ability to connect with one another. Healing trauma often happens in relationships—yet this kind of trauma pushes people further apart.

In a lifetime, few of us would ever directly witness a violent death. But today, with one viral clip, millions become unwilling witnesses.

There are two major layers to this impact:

1. Overloaded self-preservation.
When constant images of violence fill our feeds, our nervous systems shift into survival mode. Instead of focusing on daily life—work, family, hobbies—we’re bombarded with reminders of danger. This relentless scanning creates anxiety, fatigue, and depression. The pull of self-preservation often drives us back into social media, where symptoms worsen.

2. Direct exposure to trauma.
Witnessing violence—even digitally—leaves real psychological scars. Social media brings near-death and deadly events into our everyday lives, forcing us to carry trauma we aren’t prepared for.

Entire generations are now absorbing trauma at a scale humanity has never faced. The ripple effects touch every part of life—our relationships, work, and overall wellbeing.

Social media isn’t the only cause of today’s mental health crisis, but it plays a bigger role than many realize.

Stay safe, friends.