Has Social Media-Based News Changed How People React to Crises?
Frank Costa, President NEXGEN Protection Services —
Security professionals face an emerging challenge in how social media, particularly platforms popular with young adults, shapes public perception and reaction to global crises.
While the media’s ability to influence public opinion and even incite mass unrest is not new, the scale and immediacy of social media have significantly amplified this effect.
Within seconds of scrolling through Instagram, a student might encounter a variety of content: drone footage of devastated cities, an ad for a university holiday party, an image of a grieving Palestinian parent holding their deceased child, and a photo of their nephew at a family pumpkin patch. The boundaries between “international affairs” and “personal moments” have blurred. Information that once might have been compartmentalized—global news and private family photos—now coexist in the same space, on the same device, often just inches away from the user. This constant access creates a psychological burden, one that security professionals must consider when analyzing public sentiment and response.
The emotional impact of receiving this kind of information isn’t limited to the content itself. The speed and proximity of digital news delivery can distort perspectives, amplify emotional reactions, and prompt actions. Understanding these emotional triggers is essential to mitigating violence and fostering dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding.
In security management, it’s crucial to recognize the emotional context in which crises unfold. Approaching sensitive issues with empathy and open-mindedness may prevent situations from escalating, reducing the likelihood of conflict and resistance. By building trust between security personnel and the communities they serve, we can better address crises in ways that foster understanding and cooperation.
Source:
Bussewitz, Z. (January 28, 2025). Has Social Media-Based News Changed How People React to Crises? Security Management Magazine.
To Increase Security, Invest in Inclusion
Frank Costa, President NEXGEN Protection Services —
A core principle of buy-in strategies is simple: when people feel personally invested in an activity, they are more likely to want to see it succeed. However, many organizations fail to make frontline employees feel that their involvement is vital to the success or failure of the company. One effective way to foster this sense of ownership is by creating an inclusive workplace.
“When people feel cared for in the workplace, that sense of care often extends to their attitudes toward coworkers, customers, and leadership.”
From a security standpoint, this means involving employees in shaping security policies, procedures, and changes. It’s essential to gather input directly from those on the frontlines to ensure that security measures align with the needs of both employees and customers. Addressing their concerns and questions helps strengthen overall security efforts.
Building connections, trust, and inclusivity can yield substantial benefits for security. “It doesn’t take much to lose trust, but if leaders can foster it and create an environment of psychological safety, that trust can spread throughout the organization.”
Source:
Meyer, C. (July 3, 2025). To Increase Security, Invest in Inclusion. Security Management Magazine.
Well-Written Incident Reports: An Essential Element of Effective Public-Private Partnerships
Frank Costa, President NEXGEN Protection Services —
Receiving well-written, complete, and timely incident reports from private security partners is a critical aspect of any case. While verbal witness statements can be helpful, they do not provide the level of detail that investigators need to understand the full scope of a case.
In recent years, there has been growing emphasis on the importance of effective partnerships between private security and public law enforcement. As the demands on law enforcement increase alongside recruiting challenges and shrinking budgets, private security will inevitably take on more responsibilities traditionally handled by public agencies.
With law enforcement struggling to meet the rising demand for their services and facing a shortage of new officers, the burden of safety and security falls increasingly on private security personnel. This shift means that private security must excel in all aspects of their role. One core requirement is proficiency in writing comprehensive and factual Case Incident Reports (CIRs).
Furthermore, the ability of private security officers to write clear and effective reports becomes especially crucial when facing legal challenges. In the eyes of the court, if an event isn’t documented, it essentially didn’t happen.
Source:
Conley, T. (January 20, 2025). Well-Written Incident Reports Are an Essential Element of Effective Public-Private Partnerships. Security Management Magazine.
