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The University of Queensland researchers have deducted that minor crimes based on reports on social media can create a sense of paranoia among residents even when statistical evidence suggests that overall crime is low.

According to Dr Renee from the School of Social Sciences, the research team showcased the details of the survey from residents of Brisbane about perceptions of residents with respect to the crime data of the area. The research team won the UQ Foundation Research award in order to promote such research work. Specifically, the survey suggested that social media pages played an important role in deducing whether the area is safe or not. However, the information on social media doesn't tend to be regularly correct. Due to these factors, even minor offences in the area are portrayed as serious crimes. Hence due to this, even safe regions are believed to be unsafe neighbourhoods.

Therefore, people become unsafe and paranoid about even the attire of individuals, such as hoodies etc. Currently, Dr Renee Zharow is looking to expand her research. The next step is to deduce the crime discourses taken at these places. Specifically, her team is looking for the action or preventive measures taken by these residents in response to these social media posts.

It would be interesting to see whether the actions tend to make the neighbourhood a safer place or instil a sense of paranoia.