EPISODE · Aug 1, 2025 · 29 MIN
Crime Online: Hashtag Like and Subscribe, or don't
from Cybercrimeology · host Michael
Episode NotesAbout our guest:Dr. Francesco Carlo CampisiPhD in Criminology, Université de MontréalResearcher, International Centre for Comparative Criminology🔗 https://www.cicc-iccc.org/fr/personnes/etudiants-supervises/carlo-campisi🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-carlo-campisi-aa3576125/Topics discussed in this episode:From street gangs to digital deviance: a research trajectoryWhy “recruitment” doesn’t fit how modern movements growHow groups like QAnon and Anonymous influence participation onlineUsing social media metrics to measure engagementEmotional capital, visibility, and symbolic participationUpdating resource mobilization theory for digital contextsHashtag hijacking and online visibility strategiesStochastic terrorism and the challenge of lone-wolf violencePapers or resources mentioned in this episode:Campisi, F. (2024). Unveiling the digital underworld – Exploring cyberbanging and recruitment of Canadian street gang members on social media. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 66. https://doi.org/10.3138/cjccj-2023-0033Campisi, F., Fortin, F., & Néron, M.-E. (2022). Hacktivists from the inside: Collective identity, target selection and tactical use of media during the Quebec Maple Spring protests. Presented at the ICCC Symposium. Available on ResearchGateCampisi, F., & Beauregard, E. (2025). QAnon’s use of hashtag hijacking on X and its impact on online engagement. SSRN preprint. LinkMcCarthy, J. D., & Zald, M. N. (1977). Resource mobilization and social movements: A partial theory. American Journal of Sociology, 82(6), 1212–1241.Vigil, J. D. (1988). Barrio gangs: Street life and identity in Southern California. University of Texas Press. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/barrio-gangs-street-life-and-identity-southern-california-0Other:If you are curious about the video that was taken down, you should watch this video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIyrzMThHq8
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
What does influence look like when there are no formal memberships, no application processes, and no leaders? In this episode, Dr. Francesco Carlo Campisi shares insights from his doctoral research on how deviant online movements like Anonymous and QAnon mobilize participation using social media. We talk about emotional engagement, visibility as a resource, and how theory can help us understand participation in loosely organized but powerful digital collectives.
Ready to play
Crime Online: Hashtag Like and Subscribe, or don't
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 14, 2026 ·12m
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.