How can exposure to violent imagery on social media impact mental health, particularly among marginalized groups?
Answer
Exposure to violent imagery on social media, such as the widespread sharing of traumatic videos like the murder of George Floyd, can lead to significant mental health repercussions. A 2020 study conducted shortly after this event found that young Black men who viewed such content exhibited symptoms of acute stress disorder. If these symptoms were assessed in a clinical setting, many might have met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although research on the effects of violent social media content on other populations is limited, the psychological impact of repeated exposure to traumatic imagery is an area that warrants further investigation. The ease with which violent content circulates online today contrasts with earlier internet eras when such material was more challenging to access. This ubiquity, combined with the indiscriminate sharing of distressing content—often fueled by anxiety or a desire to remain informed—raises critical concerns about collective trauma and the long-term mental health effects of online witnessing.
Dr. Ian Bonner has been a Licensed Clinical Psychologist since 2012 and obtained his doctorate from Adler University in Chicago. His clinical practice and past research focused mainly on affirming care for LGBTQ+ individuals and men/healthy masculinity. Dr. Bonner has been providing individual, group, and couples/relationship therapy since 2007. Along with direct clinical practice, Dr. Bonner regularly conducts workshops and trainings on various aspects of LGBTQ+ affirming care to mental health trainees at Northwestern University and through the Foster Training Consortium.
Dr. Bonner served as the CEO of IntraSpectrum Counseling from 2017-2020. He then founded Freelife Behavioral Health, an LGBTQ+-focused group practice offering the community psychotherapy, mental health assessments and testing, and psychiatric medication. Dr. Bonner serves as the clinical supervisor to four postdoctoral fellows and deeply enjoys clinical training and emerging psychologists' professional development.
Valerie Velarde, PsyD
Dr. Valerie Velarde (pronouns they/she) is a postdoctoral fellow at Freelife Behavioral Health in Chicago, IL. Born and raised in Salt Lake, Utah, Valerie graduated magna cum laude from the University of Utah in 2014, where they spent much of their time providing cultural sensitivity education throughout Salt Lake County. From there, Valerie obtained a graduate certificate in LGBT Health Policy and Practice from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., before attending The Wright Institute’s Psy.D. program in Berkeley, California. Valerie dedicated their academic and practicum experiences to antiracism efforts on campus and working with societally disadvantaged groups, including those who are housing vulnerable, incarcerated, and living with serious mental illness.
Dr. Velarde graduated in 2023 and now enjoys providing psychotherapy to LGBTQ+ individuals and couples seeking greater life satisfaction and meaning. Valerie also teaches undergraduate psychology courses at Roosevelt University and, in her free time, loves to read or listen to podcasts and spend time with her cats.
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