Date

4-7-2026

Department

Helms School of Government

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)

Chair

Sean Grier

Keywords

Viral Videos, Suspicious Activity, Public Reporting Behavior, Social Media

Disciplines

Communication

Abstract

The widespread use of social media platforms has transformed how individuals observe, engage with, and respond to public events. Viral videos depicting potentially unlawful and dangerous behavior have become common, yet little is known about the factors that motivate viewers to report such content to the authorities. The study aimd to examine the factors influencing the public's willingness to report suspicious activities observed in viral videos across Facebook. Using a cross-sectional correlational quantitative design, the research employed a structured survey questionnaire collecting data from a diverse sample of adult Facebook users in California. Key predictor variables included trust in law enforcement, perceived severity of behavior, fear of retaliation, and civic responsibility. The goal of the study was to identify aspects that strongly predict reporting behavior. Findings from the study will inform strategies for law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and social media platforms to enhance community vigilance and digital-age public safety practices. The research will contribute to the academic understanding of civic engagement within the context of social media, providing actionable insights relevant to criminal justice and homeland security operations.

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