‘Metastasizing Disrespect’: How Social Media Turbocharges Gun Violence

Experts say Abdul Vicks, 25 — who was fatally shot in broad daylight after digging up his rival’s grave, then uploading the video to social media — is part of a trend: using social media to escalate street beefs (Photo Credit: X – DomIsLive NEWS). By Jennifer Porter Gore This article was originally published on& Word In Black. Overview: Powerful algorithms, coupled with a shortage of content moderators, creates an “anything goes” atmosphere where threats and videos depixting violence often goes unchecked. A well-known figure in Philadelphia’s bustling hip-hop scene, rapper YBC Dul had a following many musicians would envy. He had more than 30,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and his YouTube and Instagram videos drew more than a million views. But some of those posts& showed Dul’s exploits& as a reputed criminal gang leader — videos he shot and uploaded to social media himself. In February, police say, he recorded his most brazen act: digging up the grave of a murdered& gang rival, then taunting the dead man’s crew by posting the video online.& & Days later, Young Bag Chaser Dul — real name, Abdul Vicks, age 25 — was gunned down in broad daylight on a busy downtown...