Algorithms of Exploitation: Echo Chambers, Economic Incentives and Transnational Gang Recruitment of Youth in Punjab, with a Digital Literacy Intervention Model for Punjab Schools

Police and national media reports describe gangs in Punjab actively using social media platforms to recruit local youth. This independent mixed-methods pilot study examines the structural mechanics behind this phenomenon, focusing on how algorithmically generated echo chambers, algorithmic amplification, and economic incentives drive vulnerable youth toward transitional gang recruitment. To investigate these dynamics, a pilot survey was conducted with a convenience sample of youth (N=95) across three demographic tiers in Patiala, Punjab, measuring their digital media consumption habits, regional language trends, and susceptibility to targeted online messaging. Based on the survey findings, this paper introduces a proactive digital literacy intervention model designed for implementation in regional schools. This "prebunking" curriculum module aims to build cognitive resilience against manipulative online recruitment tactics. Finally, the study addresses critical research limitations, including sample size and geographical constraints, and outlines a framework for a second data-collection wave utilizing verified parental consent and an optimized questionnaire design to support long-term policy development.