Social media, in today’s world, plays a large role in influencing teenagers’ interests and behaviors. The goal of social media apps is to keep users engaged and using the app, so when videos or music involving fights, weapons, or gang activity perform well, they are fed back into the algorithm.
On April 20, ABC15Arizona posted a TikTok video of a teen shooting up a house party in a Litchfield, Arizona neighborhood. At least 150 people were in attendance, and 4 teens were shot and hospitalized. It remains the most-viewed video on their page with 5.4 million views. The popularity of artists who frequently rap about violence, gang activity, and crime has become a growing concern for the Metro Atlanta community.
One example is NBA YoungBoy. As reported by The New York Times, NBA YoungBoy’s fanbase is “heavily young and Black”. His internet culture seems to range from early teens to anywhere above, especially on YouTube and TikTok. Despite his youthful fanbase, he doesn’t set the greatest example as a person.
Throughout his career, he has faced numerous arrests and legal issues. In 2016, he was arrested due to the suspicion that he was connected to a drive-by shooting in a Baton Rouge neighborhood. He’s been arrested numerous times afterward, like on Feb. 11 of 2019 for a probation violation and in 2024 when he was booked for 63 charges, including 22 counts of identity fraud, 19 counts of procuring or attempting to procure any drugs/prescription, possession of a controlled substance, and 19 counts of forgery.
Despite this, his music remains quite popular among listeners. His catchy lyrics and melodic songs can come off as how Cam’Ren Davis, a metro-Atlanta teen, would describe it: “…inspirational but not in the way that you want him to be.”
Continuous exposure to lyrics and online content that glorify violence can influence teens’ attitudes toward conflict and crime. When I asked Cam’Ren if he thinks music can influence teenagers, he confirmed that teens take the music they listen to to heart.
Tarris Scott, a teen from the Atlanta area, provided a similar perspective during our interview. He highlighted how social media can serve as both a warning and an influence, depending on how individuals understand the content they see.
“I believe it can influence people in a good or bad way. People can see what has happened and what consequences have been given to others and choose the correct path,” he said. “However, people can also see those same situations and choose to participate in the same actions that result in consequences.”
As social media continues to grow, many parents, educators, and community leaders are asking if the content young people see online is affecting teen safety and violence in cities such as Atlanta. On April 29 of this year, Atlanta leaders of the Youth Violence Prevention Panel and young people met at City Hall to address the rising trend of youth violence across the city.
A prime example of teens being negatively influenced is the story of Lil Purk, who started rapping in 2022. He participated in a particular form of rap named drill, a genre that is fueled by street violence, gang conflicts, and urban poverty. In this community, not only are you rapping about it, but you are participating.
Lil Purk’s rap career and life in the streets started when he was only 15. Youth.gov states that youth being involved in gangs can result in them being unemployed, incarcerated, and involved in violent and petty crimes. At age 16, he was allegedly associated with the Atlanta gang YC, or “YungCrew.” He pled guilty to the murder of a 15-year-old boy near Atlantic Station and is now facing 20 years in jail.
Although what he did is widely viewed as wrong, the support he receives from people in the community through social media posts, music, and online comments reinforces the idea that this type of behavior is acceptable within gang culture. Under “Saycheesetv’s” 2023 Instagram post mentioning Lil Purk and his arrest, comments that appeared to be saying many variations of “Free Purk” were trending. Popular artist Lil Dre6o has also mentioned Lil Purk in a song titled “Switchstreet” by L5 feat. Lil Dre6o, showing support for his friend behind bars.
Whether social media serves as a warning, an influence, or both, its impact on teens remains a concern in the Metro Atlanta area. The most influential online personalities are not guaranteed to be the best influence. With that in mind, today’s young people, such as Cam’Ren, understand the importance of keeping a separation between the lyrics they listen to and their behavior.
“Every person who wants to be like NBA YoungBoy wants to be a thug and grow up like that. It’s not really what we want for this generation,” he said.
