Animal Abuse in the 21st Century: The Role of Social Media in Highlighting Animal Cruelty

• In Event: Social Media and the Social Construction of Crime

Abstract

Social media flourished in the early years of the 21st century, allowing people the ability to share content with friends and family, make friends thousands of miles away, and connect with others like never before. It has also become a haven for activism, displaying injustices and calling upon society to act. Among the images most frequently shown on social media pages like Facebook are those of animals, ranging from cute cat and dog pictures to videos of pigs being walked down city streets. However, pictures of the violence committed upon animals are also displayed with grisly details of the crimes committed against these defenseless victims. Utilizing a convenience sample, the researchers examined the role that social media actively plays in bringing animal cruelty to the public's attention and how activism for animal rights has sprung forth as a result.

Authors

• Christina Carpenter, University of Louisville

• Bryce Ashby, University of Louisville

• Justine Kincaid, University of Louisville

• Jesseca S. Cox, University of Louisville