Abstract
Social media provide novel opportunities for street gangs to operate beyond their traditional borders to sell drugs, recruit members and control their territory, virtually and physically. Although social media have contributed to the means available to street gangs today, it does not mean that every gang agrees on their use. Drawing on different perspectives (ex-gang members, law enforcement) on gangs using a multi-method design in a London borough, the current study shows that social media have polarized gangs, resulting in two distinct types of digital adaptation. The proposed division of ‘digitalist’ and ‘traditionalist’ gangs is rooted in Thrasher’s (1927) dictum that no two gangs are alike and explains how some gangs prefer to keep a low profile, thus, avoiding social media use. ‘Digitalists’, by contrast, prefer to use social media as a way to gain reputation and territorial expansion. They use it to brand themselves and to appear attractive for recruits and customers alike. These differences can be theoretically explained firstly as a generational gap, meaning that younger gang members prefer the use of social media; and secondly, by how well established a gang already is, as newer gangs need more attention to establish themselves.
Highlights
The ‘father’ of gang research, Frederic Thrasher (1927, p. 5), famously observed that “no two gangs are just alike” and for nearly a century, empirical research on gangs has confirmed Thrasher’s “endless variety of forms.” The question at the heart of this study is whether Thrasher’s criminological maxim holds for the ways in which gangs have adapted to meet the demands and opportunities of social media
The central overall result of the current study was that gangs demonstrated a sharp division in their attitudes towards and use of so cial media which could be clearly identified as two types of adaptation to social media
The police can go through your phone, this person can go through your phone ... do you know what I mean? (Participant 28, ex-gang member)
Summary
The ‘father’ of gang research, Frederic Thrasher (1927, p. 5), famously observed that “no two gangs are just alike” and for nearly a century, empirical research on gangs has confirmed Thrasher’s “endless variety of forms.” The question at the heart of this study is whether Thrasher’s criminological maxim holds for the ways in which gangs have adapted to meet the demands and opportunities of social media. One of the key dilemmas that gangs are facing today is whether or not to embrace social media for their potential reputational benefits or to shun them owing to the danger of exposure that can backfire. While this is a problem gangs share with other social media users, the stakes in illicit networks are presumably higher (Gambetta, 2009) as beyond law enforcement predation, gang members are at an elevated risk for violent victimization (Katz, Webb, Fox, & Shaffer, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
