FlintTalk.com Forum Index > Political Talk Topic: "Banging on the Internet"

Author    Post   untanglingwebs El Supremo Michigan Chronicle U-M Researchers Say Gangs Occupy 2 Spaces: The Streets And The Internet Category: News Briefs Published on Wednesday, 23 January 2013 09:33 Written by WWJ ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - In addition to carrying guns, gang members have armed themselves with social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to incite dares, trade insults or make threats that may result in homicide or other crimes, according to a new University of Michigan study. Researchers have described this new interaction as “Internet banging,” a play on the phrase “gang bangers” used to describe gang members. They examined several factors, including the role of hip-hop music in this phenomenon and urban masculinity’s influence on social media behavior. Desmond Patton, assistant professor of social work, said it’s unclear if Internet banging only involves males or one ethnic group. However, Patton noted that gang-related violence disseminated over social media appears to be a male-dominated behavior that is shaped by fewer employment opportunities for minorities. According to the study, youth gang members are similar to their non-gang peers regarding online behavior in terms of feeling more positive about themselves using the Internet compared with the real world. Patton said the groups differ in using the Internet for posturing. “Many gang members, usually those who are new, are interested in making a name for themselves which leads to bragging about acts of violence or crimes that they may not have committed,” he said. Using the Internet allows gang members to promote their affiliation and share information about rival gangs, Patton said. The researchers also examined hip-hop music, which they characterize as the rebellious, assertive voice of urban youth, males in particular. Patton said it’s this identity, along with unemployment and poor educational opportunities, that fuels the behavior of some African-American men. “In social media, the hip-hop identity has found the optimal playground to perpetuate and replicate itself because of its public nature,” he said. In addition, Patton said male gang members who use the Internet can express their masculinity and be recognized in a public forum. “It gives them a place to seek public love and recognition of their manhood, a reinforcement of self they receive in few other places,” he said. Mon Jan 28, 2013 9:14 am    Display posts from previous:   All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First

Jump to: Select a forum Local News and Politics----------------Open chatFeed BackReal Estate For SalePolitical TalkTigersVehiclesPistonsVehicles for partsThe Flint JournalRed WingsGarage SaleMichigan Professional Soccer TeamsPolitical JokesWantedFlint Sirens Women's Rugby ClubThe Bob Leonard ShowMiscellaneousGenesee County PatriotsFlint City Derby Girls / Flint River Floaters Roller Derby TeamThe Flint Generals Flint Facts----------------Did you know?

<  Last Topic | Next Topic  >

Forum Rules: You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum