Community groups: protecting or misinforming?

WhatsApp groups can work like a bomb... explosive if done correctly, dangerous if mismanaged

- WENDY JASSON DA COSTA

COUCH patrols, keyboard warriors, WhatsApp – South Africans are on crime watch 24/7, but digital vigilance often provokes rather than protects.

Community WhatsApp groups that began as a tool to safeguard neighbourhoods now spread rumours, inflate threats, and turn suspicion into social currency.

UKZN criminologist Dr Nirmala Gopal warns that even minor, unverified incidents can escalate into full-blown panic with ordinary conduct misread as threats and fear spreading through communities like wildfire. Unverified reports can quickly escalate in urgency and seriousness.

"This phenomenon, known as emotional contagion, allows fear to spread rapidly. Coupled with confirmation bias, group discussions can take on an extreme tone, causing normal behaviours, such as a stranger walking down the street or a vehicle parked temporarily, to be perceived as suspicious. While some WhatsApp groups do contribute positively to safety, facilitating the recovery of stolen property or the coordination of neighbour-hood watch efforts, many primarily influence perceptions rather than reality."