Poster #114 - Net Legitimacy: Internet and Social Media Exposure and Attitudes Toward Police

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

Scholars have recently alluded to a policing legitimacy crisis in the United States after several negative police-citizen interactions were caught on camera and received ample media and news coverage. Yet, less is known about whether consuming and engaging in online news stories involving police misconduct is associated with such attitudes. Using a multisite sample of young adults, the present study examines whether online media (Internet news and social media) consumption and engagement of stories involving police misconduct toward racial minorities influences attitudes directed toward police legitimacy. Further, the current study examines whether the relationship between online media consumption/engagement and police legitimacy differs by audience characteristics. Findings and directions for future research in this area are discussed.

Authors

• Jonathan Intravia, Ball State University

• Justin Pickett, University at Albany, SUNY

• Andrew J. Thompson, University at Albany, SUNY