Security


 

Challenge

According to the University of Chicago Crime Lab, youth violence is the leading cause of death for African-American males between the ages of 10 to 24 and is responsible for more deaths than the next nine leading causes combined. Numerous attempts have been made to lower youth violence and gun-related crimes, yet new and innovative approaches are required.

Answer

According to Pew Research, over 70% of all internet users use some form of social media; among youth age 18-29, that figure jumps to over 87%. Researchers from UCIPT are looking at ways to use amassed social data, including tweets and facebook posts, to predict outbreaks of violence and gun-related crimes.
 

Impact

Insights from social data analysis can be used to prevent crime both locally and globally. In addition to mapping and understanding street crime, insights can be used to predict and prevent large-scale cyber attacks or internet terrorism.