Double-edged sword: young people’s online exposure to knife crime, its effects, and perspectives on prevention

Abstract Although concerns around youth knife crime have received much public attention in recent years, there is minimal research involving views of young people themselves. Using cultivation theory (Gerbner and Gross 1976), the aim of this exploratory study was to canvas young people’s exposure to, and engagement with, knife crime posts on social media platforms, its impacts on their perceptions of safety and knife-carrying behaviour, and their views on knife crime prevention. Findings from an online survey of 193 young people (16–22 years [ M = 17.9]) indicate that these young people are regularly exposed to knife violence across social media platforms with two-thirds of respondents believing knife crime is a problem in their area. In line with cultivation theory, most respondents indicated that this online exposure to knife crime increased their concerns about personal safety and the need for protection, particularly among females. Although need for protection increased contemplation to carry a knife among this sample, the overall likelihood of knife carrying was very low. Common themes around prevention indicate that young people would like to see more education and awareness campaigns related to knife-crime highlighting the harms and consequences of this type of behaviour. Combined, findings underscore potential psychological impacts of online exposure to knife crime, while highlighting the capacity for such platforms to raise awareness and educate young people as a preventative measure.