Young Australians say they are seeing graphic video of US commentator Charlie Kirk being shot dead pop up in their social media algorithms without warning, with some wishing they had not watched the disturbing vision.

But an expert has cautioned it is available on both traditional and social media sources, and there is no evidence young people are watching it because they are desensitised to online violence.

Mr Kirk, a prominent right wing podcaster who has been credited with mobilising the youth vote for US President Donald Trump, was shot and killed at a rally at a university in the US state of Utah this week.

Vision of his shooting and students fleeing the venue have been widely shared on traditional and social media sites.

'A terrible thing'

The ABC spoke to a number of Australian

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