Under the Hood - Hyperlocal Surveillance on Nextdoor

Explore a 15-minute conference talk examining the intersection of neighborhood gentrification and community surveillance on Nextdoor, a hyperlocal social media platform. Delve into a study conducted in Atlanta, Georgia, utilizing a privacy-preserving data collection method to analyze 1,537 community surveillance posts. Discover the development of a qualitative codebook and the application of a large language model to create an extensible typology of community surveillance modes on hyperlocal platforms. Uncover the complex relationship between surveillance posts and neighborhood gentrification, with findings suggesting that publicly disclosing information about perceived outsiders, especially for petty crimes, is most prevalent in gentrifying areas. Gain insights into how platforms like Nextdoor may inadvertently amplify social tensions and exclusion, particularly affecting minoritized populations in changing neighborhoods. Consider the broader implications of this research for hyperlocal social platforms and their potential impact on community dynamics.