School Shootings Tracked Social Media Growth—Why Ignore Mental Health?

School shootings climbed exactly with social media’s rise. Jerremy Alexander Newsome and Dave Conley talk with Steven Orr about violence in media and its effects on youth mental health. Steven explains avoiding human targets in games. Jerremy asks why the mental health piece gets ignored. Dave notes the shift from a few TV channels to endless online platforms. They break down divisive rhetoric, personal humiliation, identity loss, rejection as triggers—especially for young men—and the value of real social interaction.Timestamps:(00:00) Games alone don’t cause violence – intent behind targets matters(00:18) Media shapes mental health – constant exposure changes kids(01:50) Social media multiplied access – went from 3 channels to infinite violent content(02:57) Shootings follow divisive talk – rhetoric fuels isolation(06:14) Connections prevent breakdowns – lack of them hurts(07:13) Humiliation and rejection trigger – real drivers of rage(08:57) Young men hit hardest – isolation amplifies risk(09:51) Identity crises feed racism – loss of belonging escalates(11:20) Violent cults recruit the lost – easy targets online(13:19) Gun ranges show red flags – behavior reveals intent(14:33) Root cause is mental health – address despair, reduce shootingsConnect:Steven Orr – Instagram | X | LinkedIn | Website🌍 Connect with us: Instagram | YouTube | X