The Good
There is no doubt social media has been beneficial for some criminal justice institutions.
For the police, social media has given them unprecedented access to the public, and vice versa. Via Facebook and Twitter, police and the public can communicate in real time about incidents and events. This has proven invaluable not only during times of crisis, but also on a day-to-day basis and at the local level.
Social media has also become an important tool in police investigations. Furthermore, the social media “broadcasting” of criminal trials has added an extra level of transparency to criminal proceedings.
But while live tweeting represents a step forward in achieving open justice, there remain concerns with the practice.
The Bad
At the other end of the spectrum, social media has been accused of posing risks for many users, particularly young people.
Social media has been used to facilitate “new” crimes such as revenge porn, prompting calls for harsher punishment.
In addition, “old” crimes such as harassment and threats, as well as fraud and identity theft, have been conducted in new ways through social media.
Social media is also changing the nature of post-crime behavior. So-called performance crimes – where offenders boast about their criminal behavior to their friends and followers online – are increasingly common.
The Ugly
Trial by social media has become increasingly concerning for those working in the criminal justice system.
Activity on Facebook and Twitter can pose a threat to prosecutions and the right to a fair trial through practices such as sharing photos of the accused before an indictment, creation of hate groups, or jurors sharing their thoughts about a case online.
Social media can also be used as a tool for victim-blaming. Social media can be further be used as a weapon through which the friends and families of victims of crime are exposed to secondary victimization.
The Future
As platforms evolve and new issues emerge, social media will continue to provide challenges and opportunities for criminal justice officials, as well as change the way the public perceives and engages with issues of crime and victimisation.
However, calls for bans and restrictions to social media are unlikely to yield results.
Social media is here to stay, and we need to think outside the box if we wish to understand this phenomenon, capitalise on its benefits, and prevent or minimise its negative effects in relation to crime and the criminal justice system.