Youth Use of Social Media for Gang Activity and Issues of School Safety

• In Event: School Surveillance and Social Construction

Abstract

Prior research has found that gang members use the internet and social media as a way of promoting their gang and communicating with other gang members about acts of violence committed either by or against them. However, few studies explore whether youth gang members use the internet and social media in the same manner. Our study examines the use of social media by students transitioning to high school, as related to gang activity and other acts of violence within the school environment. As part of a larger mixed methods study on school safety, semi-structured interviews were conducted in three waves with students (ages 12-14) from an urban school district before and after transitioning to a new school environment. Our findings show that the connection between youth gang activity and social media is minimal. However, there were emerging themes related to the use of social media by these students in relation to other acts of violence and issues of school safety. The paper concludes with discussion as to why the results of our study differ from those in prior research.

Authors

• Matthew Galasso, Michigan State University

• Daniel Abad, Michigan State University

• Matthew Almanza, Michigan State University

• Justin Heinze, University of Michigan

• Chris Melde, Michigan State University

• Jennifer Cobbina, Michigan State University