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Journals / Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine / 2026 / Volume: 9 Issue: 4

A descriptive qualitative study on social attitudes toward juvenile delinquency in Turkiye through YouTube news comments on the murders of Ahmet Minguzzi and Atlas Çağlayan

Mehtap Genç(Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey Üniversitesi)0000-0002-6420-9327
Emre Çiydem(ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-2886-6848
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-07-20
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings reveal that attitudes expressed by YouTube users regarding juveniles involved in delinquency were predominantly characterized by punitive perceptions of justice, fear of crime and social insecurity, stigmatization of offenders and their families, and emotional reactions toward victims.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: The aim of this study is to examine attitudes expressed in YouTube news comments regarding juvenile delinquency in Turkiye.
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Key Findings & Data:The sample consists of 3,250 publicly available user comments posted under two YouTube news videos related to the murders of Ahmet Minguzzi and Atlas Çağlayan in Turkiye.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings reveal that attitudes expressed by YouTube users regarding juveniles involved in delinquency were predominantly characterized by punitive perceptions of justice, fear of crime and social insecurity, stigmatization of offenders and their families, and emotional reactions toward victims.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Juvenile delinquency · public attitudes · YouTube comments

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study is to examine attitudes expressed in YouTube news comments regarding juvenile delinquency in Turkiye. Methods: This study was conducted via a descriptive qualitative research design. The sample consists of 3,250 publicly available user comments posted under two YouTube news videos related to the murders of Ahmet Minguzzi and Atlas Çağlayan in Turkiye. The comments were analyzed via thematic analysis. Results: As a result of the analysis, seven main themes were identified; “perceptions of criminal justice regarding juvenile delinquency”, “fear of crime and social insecurity in the context of juvenile delinquency”, “stigmatization of juveniles involved in delinquency and their families”, “the impact of the family and social environment on juvenile delinquency”, “political, economic, and cultural influences on juvenile delinquency”, “interpretation of crime through religious and moral values”, and “emotional reactions toward the victim and their family”. The findings reveal that attitudes expressed by YouTube users regarding juveniles involved in delinquency were predominantly characterized by punitive perceptions of justice, fear of crime and social insecurity, stigmatization of offenders and their families, and emotional reactions toward victims. Conclusion: Attitudes expressed in YouTube comments regarding juvenile delinquency were largely punitive and stigmatizing, revealing tension with the principles of the juvenile justice system. Strengthening responsible media language and public awareness is recommended to reduce stigmatization and support reintegration.

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Cite This Article

Genç, M., Çiydem, E. (2026). A descriptive qualitative study on social attitudes toward juvenile delinquency in Turkiye through YouTube news comments on the murders of Ahmet Minguzzi and Atlas Çağlayan. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, Volume: 9 Issue: 4. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1914812

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