Social Media as a Catalyst and Trigger for Youth Violence (Dawes Unit Executive Summary)
Catch22 (Dawes Unit) · 2017
About this report
This report examines the links between young people's use of social media and serious youth violence in the UK. It finds that a small minority of young people are exposed daily to content on platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat and Instagram that displays or incites real-life violence, and that social media is acting as a catalyst for retaliatory violence by amplifying disrespect and threats. Key findings include concerns about drill music videos inciting violence, the vulnerability of young women to exploitation, and a lack of guidance and training for professionals. The report makes recommendations across prevention, intervention and suppression strategies for a range of stakeholders including social media platforms, police, and youth workers.
Research details
- Methodology
- Secondary analysisInterviewFocus groupMixed methods
- Sample size
- Not disclosed
- Sample
- Young people involved in or at risk of serious youth violence, professionals including police, youth outreach workers, gangs workers, and local authority staff.
- Who it's about
- Young people in or leaving the justice system
- Place
- UK-wide
- Youth involvement
- No youth involvement