Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
6-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Program
Criminal Justice
Advisor
Amy Adamczyk
Committee Members
Joshua Freilich
Jeremy Porter
Matthew Williams
Subject Categories
Criminology
Keywords
Social media, user-generated data, major criminal incidents, gun violence
Abstract
User-generated online data has, in recent years, become an important basis for sociological research, and the ubiquity of social media presages the importance of an increased understanding of its inner workings in the spheres of criminology and sociology. This dissertation examines the dynamics of user-generated information on social media and social news in the wake of 53 criminal incidents which generated higher-than-average interest online. Using multiple platforms and analytical techniques, I investigate the dynamics of within- and between-platform information uptake, examine potential avenues and drawbacks of the actionable information available online during a crisis, and describe patterns and focal topics relating to xenophobic and othering language, gun rights and gun control, misinformation, and risk amplification.
Recommended Citation
Scott, Jacqueline M., "Online Communities and Offline Criminal Justice: The Digital Fallout of Major Criminal Incidents" (2024). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/5728