In an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" on September 14, the Governor of Utah Spencer Cox condemned social media algorithms and their impact on American youth in particular.
"I believe that social media has played a direct role in every assassination and assassination plot we have witnessed in the past 5-6 years," said the governor of Utah state.
Mr. Spencer Cox emphasized: "There is no doubt in my mind. "Certificate" may not be a strong enough word. What we have done, especially for children, it will take us decades to realize how harmful these algorithms are."
Activist Kirk was assassinated in the campus of a university in Utah on September 10. Videos recording Kirk's shooting have been widely circulated on social media, but Governor Cox recommends users not watching those videos.
He said that videos recording the moment Kirk was shot as well as videos recording the stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in North Carolina were not good to humans.
We have not tienorated enough to be able to handle such violent images. This is not good for us. It is not good to accept - he said.
Governor Utah Spencer Cox also called for: "I encourage everyone to get off social media, turn off their phones, step out into real life, hug a relative, go out and do charity work."
It is not yet clear what role social media played in the assassination of activist Kirk. So far, US authorities have arrested suspect Tyler Robinson, 22.
Amid speculation about the suspect's background and motives, Governor Cox confirmed on September 14 that the same friend of the suspect's roommates Robinson was collaborating with investigators: "This friend collaborated very well. This person did not know this was happening and is working with the investigators."
The official charges against the suspect Robinson are expected to be filed on September 16.
