The Influence of Social Media on Crime and Criminal Justice Perception: A Study through a Survey

• In Event: Online Discourse, Technology, and Public Understandings of Criminality

Abstract

The role of the media in shaping public opinion on crime and criminal policy remains under debate, owing to the widespread popularity of social media. These platforms, with their unique characteristics and dynamics, have transformed the communication landscape, becoming one of the primary means of information medium. Although both the phenomena of disinformation and polarization are pivotal in comprehending the impact of these platforms on public opinion, particularly in the realms of criminal law, justice, and crime. Consequently, the objective of this study is to analyze how social media influences perceptions and attitudes toward crime and the penal system. To achieve this, a tailored survey was conducted among adult residents in Spain. It included questions regarding social media usage and engagement, perceptions of increasing crime rates, punitive attitudes, and opinions on specific penal measures, among others. Additionally, emphasis was placed on the penal modifications that specific crimes have undergone in recent years in Spain, sparking public debates on social media. Ultimately, based on the collected quantitative data, the study aims to determine whether perceptions of crime and the penal system vary depending on the population's usage and engagement with social media.

Authors

• Fernando Miró-Llinares, Miguel Hernández University of Elche

• Raquel Botía-López, Miguel Hernández University of Elche

• Jesús C. Aguerri, Miguel Hernández University of Elche