The Role of Social Media in Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions of Police and Career Interest in Law Enforcement

Given the widespread use of social media among younger populations and the ongoing challenges in police recruitment and retention, this study examines how social media consumption, particularly exposure to police misconduct videos, impacts college students’ perceptions of police and career interest in law enforcement. Using data from a sample of 235 students at two liberal arts colleges, we conducted Firth logistic regression to explore the impact of social media on perceptions related to police and career aspirations. Results showed that perceived social media realism and the frequency of viewing police-related videos are significant predictors of changes in perceptions of police and career interest. These findings highlight the need for digital media literacy education and promote informed public dialogue about the influence of social media on policing and career pathways in law enforcement.