Crime refers to an act that has been deemed illegal by the law, and criminal behavior is the thought of an individual that leads them to commit a crime. In his TEDx Talk, James Densley offers a deep dive into the increasingly relevant topic of how violence interacts with social media. Through an examination of numerous international comparative studies and real-life cases, Densley provides examples that demonstrate how extensively embedded violence has become in society today. With a focus on gang epidemics, Densley talks through the nuanced consequences of this increasing integration within gang structures and new means for lethal communication – making it more difficult to address underlying issues. The presenter mentioned something about the anti-crime groups formed as a result of disclosing criminal behaviors through media platforms. The media has greatly contributed to negative impacts on crimes, as compared to positive ones.
Densely mentioned that social media create new incentives for violence. He explained that people today tend to share a lot of crimes happening in the world through social media such as Facebook (Densley, 00:04:46). For example, a lady live-streamed rape of a nineteen-year-old friend, and she ensured that the video went viral (Densley, 00:07:29). Due to the fact that internet is now the public swap; many people feel neglected and want to be seen online, these individuals would prefer conducting the same crimes to be shown online (Densley, 00:08:43). Some may be willing to appear to shoot their boyfriends only to get YouTube likes and subscription, making viewers think that such actions are normal thus worth emulating. Many people want to be seen, confirmed, acknowledged, and celebrated, even from a negative perspective, which makes social media to be a violence and crime catalyst (Densley, 00:09:00). The media often portrays criminals as larger-than-life characters with superpowers, which can make some people view criminal behavior as a way to get attention.
Furthermore, the media has glamorized crime, making it seem more exciting and thrilling. The media sensationalizes crime by reporting on it in a way that is designed to capture the reader or viewer’s attention (Brown et al., 2018). For example, they may focus on violent crimes or those that are particularly gruesome. This emphasis can create a perception that crime is on the rise or appear to be profitable, making the viewers think of joining criminal groups. The more repeated the crimes are displayed, the more people think they are fine and get inspired (Densley, 00:12:35). Consistent crime shows make it appear fresh and spread intercultural hatred, making people to develop retaliatory violence, thus increasing crime. Additionally, the media sometimes portrays criminals in a negative light, which may lead to public misconceptions about crime and lawbreakers. The media often sensationalizes crimes, giving people a distorted view of things happening in the world.
On the other hand, sharing of crime has exposed criminalities and their sources, thus slightly reducing it. These exposures have led to the introduction of anti-crime movements such as #MeToo, BlackLivesMatter, and MarchForOurLives (Densley, 00:14:54). The ‘MeToo’ movement and its equivalents reduce crime by creating an environment in which people are more likely to speak out about sexual abuse and other types of crime (Clair et al., 2019). The ‘BlackLivesMatter’ association minimizes crime by calling attention to the fact that black lives matter just as much as white lives (Solomon & Martin, 2019). The ‘MarchForOurLives’ movement decreases crime by demonstrating the strength and resolve of the American people (Waller, 2021). This movement sends a message to criminals that they will not be tolerated, which ultimately lessens crime rates.
In conclusion, the media has played a significant role in influencing crime and criminal behavior. There are several ways in which the media can have an impact, including by shaping public opinion about crime, portraying misconduct in a particular way, and providing exposure to criminal activity, leading to anti-crime movements. Overall, the media can have both positive and negative effects on crime and criminal behavior.
References
Brown, D. K., Harlow, S., García-Perdomo, V., & Salaverría, R. (2018). A new sensation? An international exploration of sensationalism and social media recommendations in online news publications. Journalism, 19(11), 1497-1516. Web.
Clair, R. P., Brown, N. E., Dougherty, D. S., Delemeester, H. K., Geist-Martin, P., Gorden, W. I., Sorg, T., & Turner, P. K. (2019). #MeToo, sexual harassment: An article, a forum, and a dream for the future. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 47(2), 111-129. Web.
Densley, J. (2019). Violence in the Age of Social Media [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Solomon, J., & Martin, A. (2019). Competitive victimhood as a lens to reconciliation: An analysis of the black lives matters and blue lives matter movements. Conflict Resolution Quarterly, 37(1), 7-31. Web.
Waller, I. (2021). Reducing Violent Crime by 50% Before 2030: Decisive Action Now to Achieve These SDGs. In Crime Prevention and Justice in 2030. Springer, Cham. Web.