Adolescent Online Victimization: A Test of Routine Activities Theory

• NCJ Number: 230061
• Author(s): Catherine Davis Marcum
• Date Published: 2009
• Length: 282 pages
• Sale Source: LFB Scholarly Publishing LLC
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: From the LBF Scholarly Series, Criminal Justice Recent Scholarship

Annotation

This research study investigated Internet usage in a sample of college students and their experiences with online victimization and the formation of relationships with online contacts.

Abstract

Results of this study indicate that providing personal information to online contacts and communicating with people met online were the strongest and most consistent predictors of online victimization, as well as the formation of relationships with people met online. In addition, use of certain computer-mediated communications (CMCs) (variables representing the theoretical construct of exposure to motivated offenders) also was shown to predict certain types of victimization. However, variables representing the third construct of Routine Activities Theory, lack of capable guardianship, were not shown to be strong or consistent predictors of online victimization of youth. For future research, a survey of a wider age range of adolescents, as well as those in different geographical areas is recommended. Also, further investigation of the use of social networking Web sites and offending behaviors of adolescents, as well as their familiarity with deceptive Internet practices, will aid in the advancement of knowledge of the online behaviors and experiences of adolescents. Daily use of the Internet is now common for many Americans, whether for socialization, research, or various other activities. Several past studies of Internet use by adolescents have found that increasing numbers of youth people are experiencing various types of victimization while online, such as unwanted exposure to sexually explicit material, sexual solicitation, and non-sexual harassment. The purpose of this study was to further investigate Internet use among a sample of college freshmen and to consider their experiences with online victimization and the formation of relationships with online contacts. The methodology chosen was developed under the concepts and propositions of Routine Activities Theory. Data were collected from 483 college freshmen at a mid-sized university in the northeast. Tables, appendixes A-C, bibliography, and index