Date of Award
Spring 5-7-2024
Degree Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Masters in Criminal Justice
Department
Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Dr. Beverly Reece-Churchwell
Second Advisor
Dr. Tanja Link
Third Advisor
Dr. Richard Stringer
Abstract
Internet use among individuals involved with gang activity has become increasingly prevalent in the last two decades. This usage goes beyond simply organizing or boasting about criminal activity. Rather, it has become similar to general usage of the internet including posting content that contributes to an overall image of themselves or their gang. Moreover, as social media has become more common among the general population, those involved in gang activity have also followed suit. Previous studies have noted several themes communicated that are in social media posts made by self-proclaimed gang members. These themes include violent imagery, intimidation, revenge, grief, wealth, and success. This thesis sets out to fill a gap in the current literature by examining Tik-Tok, a social media platform launched in 2017 and applying a social learning framework to explore violence exposure and its repercussions. Limitations, such as verification of gang involvement, policy implications, and directions for future research are discussed in depth.