A Criminological Perspective on Social Media

Academic reflection for displays of mass, disproportionate fear toward groups or phenomena is as meaningful today as in the 1970s when Stanley Cohen inducted the Moral Panic concept into sociological thinking. As the world develops, so too must our theoretical understanding.

Where once the mainstream narrative was disseminated and controlled through a limited range of one-way media (TV and radio, for example), we have an abundance of information and communications sources in today's world. Social media has become a powerful launchpad for moral panic, providing platforms for sensationalized reporting, mis/disinformation, rumour-mongering, and the near-unregulated spread of false information about particular groups or behaviours. Such a hostile online environment heightens our innate fears, designing a flawed consensus of concerns for social issues in our offline environments.   

Social media has weakened the capabilities of social elites to gatekeep and regulate a singular sense-making narrative, with grassroots members (the public) now much more able and willing to challenge political and media explanations of events. For example, since 2001, we have seen those at the height of Becker’s Hierarchy of Credibility come in for intense scrutiny over justifications for the Iraq invasion, MP expense scandals, News of the World phone hacking, mass data collection through government surveillance programs, austerity amplifying social inequalities, failed Brexit promises, and dubious COVID contract awards; to name just a few. In short, the scrutiny that social media enables the Western public to place on its leaders has illuminated many failings. And each example of failure chips into mainstream institutions' credibility, legitimacy, and trustworthiness.  

It should be a surprise that trust in political leaders and mainstream media has hit record lows in recent years. However, people seek leadership, guidance, and reassurance that they may prosper. Disillusioned with the mainstream hierarchy, global communications capabilities such as social media have enabled people to seek credible leadership from fringe voices. Social media can create an "echo chamber" effect, in which people seek and share information that supports their beliefs, leading to a distorted view of reality. In recent years we have seen young men, in particular, stray towards to likes of misogynistic figures such as Andrew Tate, conspiracy theorists such as Alex Jones, and populist leaders like Donald Trump. Most recently, concerning the misogynistic Tate, the appeal of such figures and their distorted philosophies is as much a statement about the inabilities of mainstream leadership to create community cohesion as it is about the perils of unregulated information access. This inability leaves nefarious fringe characters to fill voids of meaning for disillusioned public members.

However, in contrast to amplifying moral panic, social media can also be used to combat it.

For example, social media can provide accurate information, debunk false rumours, and organize and mobilize people to take action against real problems. Social media can also promote empathy and understanding by providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives. It has the potential to both contribute to and combat moral panic. For the sake of British values such as democracy, the rule of law, and respect for others, it is crucial for individuals to be aware of the potential for misinformation and sensationalism on social media and to seek out reliable sources of information and diverse perspectives.

Criminology has an important role. Through criminological research and information dissemination, criminologists can illuminate and guide members of the public towards a more accurate interpretation of reality, nullifying the allure of fringe characters. In an age of unbridled information access, it is of high importance that we treat such technological developments with respect and caution.  

Find out more about studying Criminology at the University of Chester.