According to De Jong, things are all about identity and profiling for young people. “You have little freedom in the classroom, but on social media you can direct your own identity.” The impact of videos, such as an AI video about a bomb alert or a filmed fight, such as in Beverwijk, provides status. Violence can increase status within a street identity. “Status can be more important than any punishment,” says Mehlbaum.
How do you get the mind back in the bottle?
It was apparent that spreading incitant messages is not without consequences last week. Friday night A 20-year-old man from Heemskerk arrested On suspicion of spreading false information and incitement via social media. The police do not want to announce what exactly the suspect has placed.
According to experts, the situation in Heemskerk, Beverwijk and Haarlem shows how complicated it is to explain online threats. According to De Jong, it is crucial to link online signals to what is happening offline.
“You see an interaction. Offline incidents stir up online images, which in turn can cause an offline response. If, for example, online threatening messages are circulating, and you know that there are several offline incidents among young people at the same time, such as in the IJmond, I understand that the mayor decided to take measures.”
In the meantime, the police continue to insist on caution. “That is why we make the urgent call again not to interfere with the unrest, both online and on the street.”