Youth Crime & 'Crimefluencing': Clicks, Clout & Coercion

Youth Crime & 'Crimefluencing': Clicks, Clout & Coercion

From Motive & Method by Xanthe Mallett and Tim Watson-Munro

May 19, 2026 · 31 min

About this episode

This episode explores the phenomenon of 'crimefluencing' and its impact on youth and social media.

Crimes for clicks, shares and online status - In this episode, Tim and Xanthe unpack the  dangerous new phenomenon “crimefluencing”. Australia’s top cop recently highlighted this “new and disturbing front in traditional gender-based violence” - with young people being drawn into online networks that encourage everything from petty offending to serious violence and exploitation. From livestreamed assaults to the coercion of vulnerable teenage girls, this episode explores how social media has gamified criminal behaviour. WATCH OUR FULL VIDEO EPISODES ON YOUTUBE AT 'CRIME CENTRAL AUSTRALIA' .   Follow us on Instagram @Motive&Method See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Xanthe Mallett, Tim Watson-Munro

Topics covered

  • youth crime
  • crimefluencing
  • social media
  • gender-based violence
  • online networks
  • criminal behaviour

Keywords

  • crimefluencing
  • youth crime
  • social media
  • gender-based violence
  • online networks
  • criminal behaviour
  • livestreamed assaults
  • exploitation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Australia, CRIME CENTRAL AUSTRALIA, Instagram

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