Understanding Factors Influencing Crime Prevention Information on Social Media

• Published in: Intellectual Discourse
• Main Author: Ismail N.; Noor S.M.; Ahmad J.; Jamri M.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Islamic University Malaysia 2022
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85161271983&partnerID=40&md5=18d681066a24262fd26d5d0130dc7627

Despite increasing attention on social media and policing research in recent years, not many that focused specifically on source factors of message design and their perceived impact on crime prevention information. This present study aimed to address the gap, by investigating public perception towards crime prevention information posted by the authority on social media. A survey was carried out involving 400 active Malaysian users of social media in the age range of 18-34. The findings revealed that, interest in crime prevention information on social media was primarily motivated by information seeking and sharing. Videos, written texts and infographics were found to be the most preferred social media content. The public in general, perceived the authority’s crime prevention information on social media positively. Out of the three different factors tested, credibility was found to be the significant predictor that can influence public’s perceived impact of crime prevention information on social media. It was also found that, public perception can influence behavior intention to access and share crime prevention information on social media. Copyright © IIUM Press.