Technology and It’s Role

To be frank, one of the largest ways that mass media has influenced mass shootings is not actually through the faults of mass media itself, but rather how modern technology has molded the perception of media outlets. Trends for media coverage have been skyrocketing due to access to mobile devices and social media apps. Older adults are getting more access to media through their phones, and teenagers through the form of social media (Bialik). Some studies have even shown that more actions are taken through social media news, both positive and negative (Bialik). This can explain how social media coverage can influence the decisions of those viewing it. For example, if someone were to view a shooting through social media, statistically they would be more likely to act on the subject, in both good and bad ways. From a positive standpoint, this increases the awareness for victims of mass shootings, however, from a negative standpoint, this comes with the publication and glorification of mass violence. Given that the majority of those who use social media are teenagers, the connection between social media drawing a larger response to news is evident when concerning mass violence.