Video Wars: Assessing the Use of Online Media by Gangs for Recruitment and Community Intimidation Purposes

• In Event: The Influence of Gangs Across Diverse Social Contexts

Abstract

A growing body of literature investigates the use of social media by terrorist and criminal organizations. Furthering this work, the present study examines gang use of social media for the purpose of recruitment and community terrorization. Specifically, we investigate the message sensation value (MSV) of videos produced by gangs in Los Angeles and posted on YouTube. Using the MSV scale (Morgan et al., 2003), we examine whether video scores correlate with dynamic measures of gang size and spread (recruitment capacity), and level of community terrorization as revealed by the fear and intimidation of witnesses in gun violence cases. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of online video use for countering gang violence at the community level.

Authors

• Jared Romeo Dmello, University of Massachusetts Lowell / California State University, San Bernardino

• Gisela Bichler, California State University, San Bernardino