Photo: File picture taken in 2010 of a 12-year-old logging on to Facebook in Jakarta; AFP / Romeo Gacad
A new study by the National University of Singapore (NUS) proves social media has become an active recruitment platform for gangs.
According to Channel NewsAsia (CNA), the study looked at the impact of social media on high-risk youths, and covered 36 juvenile delinquents — with criminal records spanning drugs, rioting, robbery and theft — aged between 15 and 18.
Research showed that youths socialising with friends that are connected to gangs are easily drawn into their criminal activities.
One 17-year-old admitted he was recruited into a gang through online interactions with its members, saying, "the more frequently we talk, as you get closer, you get recruited into the gang (sic)". Another 17-year-old revealed gangs would sometimes post information about activities like selling contraband cigarettes, online.
One other way these illegal groups are using social media is for mobilisation. Said Associate Professor Lim Sun Sun from the NUS Department of Communications and New Media, this was due to the 'gang loyalty factor'— "responding to such calls online shows affirmation and support".
The NUS study has also revealed that gang members use Facebook to "project group identities", CNA reports. An example of this is adding affixes to their profile name and including the gang code or emblem in their profile information.
Dr. Lim however pointed out that despite being active on social media, these gangs were careful not to be too overt. "They are very aware that the police are watching," he said.
Concerned friends are also taking to social media to make sure their buddies don't fall back into bad company. Some have claimed to use Foursquare and Facebook check-ins to track their movement.
Photo: File picture taken in 2010 of a 12-year-old logging on to Facebook in Jakarta; AFP / Romeo Gacad
A new study by the National University of Singapore (NUS) proves social media has become an active recruitment platform for gangs.
According to Channel NewsAsia (CNA), the study looked at the impact of social media on high-risk youths, and covered 36 juvenile delinquents — with criminal records spanning drugs, rioting, robbery and theft — aged between 15 and 18.
Research showed that youths socialising with friends that are connected to gangs are easily drawn into their criminal activities.
One 17-year-old admitted he was recruited into a gang through online interactions with its members, saying, "the more frequently we talk, as you get closer, you get recruited into the gang (sic)". Another 17-year-old revealed gangs would sometimes post information about activities like selling contraband cigarettes, online.
One other way these illegal groups are using social media is for mobilisation. Said Associate Professor Lim Sun Sun from the NUS Department of Communications and New Media, this was due to the 'gang loyalty factor'— "responding to such calls online shows affirmation and support".
The NUS study has also revealed that gang members use Facebook to "project group identities", CNA reports. An example of this is adding affixes to their profile name and including the gang code or emblem in their profile information.
Dr. Lim however pointed out that despite being active on social media, these gangs were careful not to be too overt. "They are very aware that the police are watching," he said.
Concerned friends are also taking to social media to make sure their buddies don't fall back into bad company. Some have claimed to use Foursquare and Facebook check-ins to track their movement.