NCJ Number
215813
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: 2006 Pages: 110-127
Date Published
2006
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of Internet piracy among college students.
Abstract
Results indicated that the majority of students in the sample (80.7 percent) reported engaging in Internet piracy to obtain movies, music, and/or software. The majority of students pirated music (79.8 percent) while just over a third pirated software. Only 17.5 percent of students reported engaging in all three types of pirating behaviors. Factors related to Internet piracy among college students included gender, race, age, self-control, employment status, and financial aid status. More specifically, college students who reported Internet pirating were more likely to be male, White, unemployed, and younger than students who did not report pirating. Possible explanations for Internet piracy are discussed, including the ease with which it is accomplished and the relative anonymity from discovery. Participants were 114 college students in 3 undergraduate social science courses who volunteered to complete the study survey for extra course credit. The survey measured self-reported piracy behaviors, self-control, level of social bonding, and socio-economic factors such as employment status and receipt of financial aid. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate regression models. Future studies should employ larger, non-student samples and should also explore attitudes related to piracy. Tables, footnotes, references