Date: February 17, 2025
Old Dominion University

Azariah Pugh
01247624

Introduction

The impact of cybercrimes like data breaches and cyberbullying on society is examined in this
article from the International Journal of Cyber Criminology, with a focus on how they affect
marginalized groups. In addition to providing insights for prevention, victim care, and policy
education, it explores how these issues impact social institutions and human interactions. To raise
awareness and encourage a safer online environment, the study highlights the necessity of
focused actions and policies.

Relation to Social Sciences Principles

As human behavior and social structures are fundamental to social science, the paper emphasizes
the societal ramifications of cybercrimes. Researchers can create ways to lessen the detrimental
impacts of cybercrime by having a better understanding of its causes. The study may also assess
how well laws and regulations work to prevent cybercrime, highlighting the connection between
social governance and technology.

Research Questions or Hypotheses

The frequency of cyberbullying among urban high school students is examined in this study,
with particular attention paid to the psychological effects on victims and the efficacy of coping
mechanisms. According to this theory, victims of cyberbullying have higher levels of anxiety and
depression than their peers in rural areas, and cyberbullying is more common among urban
youngsters. According to the research, victims who use constructive coping mechanisms, such as
reaching out for social support, may experience improved psychological consequences.

Research Methods

The Social Impact of Cybercrimes: Unveiling the Threats of Data Breaches and Cyberbullying
The research uses a mixed-approaches strategy that blends quantitative and qualitative methods.
It consists of online questionnaires given to 500 high school students and in-depth interviews
with 20 chosen participants. Purposive sampling was used to select interview subjects who had
been the victims of cyberbullying, whereas random sample was used for the questionnaires.

Data and Analysis

Students’ experiences with cyberbullying were surveyed to get quantitative data. While
inferential statistics, such as regression analysis, looked at the correlations between variables,
descriptive statistics provided a summary of the survey results. Transcripts of interviews were
subjected to thematic analysis to identify recurrent topics on the psychological effects of
cyberbullying.

Relation to Course Concepts

The study examines how criminals choose victims based on opportunity, which is consistent with
crime theories covered in the course, such as Routine Activity Theory. Additionally, it evaluates
how well cybersecurity precautions that are vital to averting data breaches are working.
Additionally, it draws attention to the psychological ramifications of cyberbullying, which aligns
with the course’s findings on crime and mental health.

Challenges, Concerns, and Contributions of Marginalized Groups

Because of their lack of resources and social isolation, marginalized groups—such as women,
LGBTQ+ people, and ethnic minorities—are frequently more susceptible to cybercrime. The
essay discusses how cyberbullying and online harassment put certain groups at more risk and
have serious psychological effects. It promotes campaigns to increase knowledge and offer tools to assist vulnerable communities in defending themselves, highlighting the importance of support
systems in both prevention and rehabilitation.

Total Social Contributions

The study highlights the detrimental effects of cyberbullying on high school pupils and was
published in the International Journal of Cyber Criminology. It encourages coping strategies for
victims and demands stricter anti-bullying legislation and internet education programs. To
establish a safer online environment, it also promotes cooperation between parents, schools, and
community organizations.

Conclusion

The study concludes by offering a thorough examination of cybercrimes with an emphasis on
data breaches and cyberbullying. Using a mixed-methods approach, it investigates the prevalence
and psychological impacts of cyberbullying in urban high schools to provide a comprehensive
picture. Particularly for underrepresented groups including women, LGBTQ+ people, and ethnic
minorities, the results highlight the necessity of focused interventions and support systems. The
study promotes a multipronged approach to combating cybercrime by tying research to theories
of crime and cybersecurity, with the goal of making the internet safer and more accessible for
everyone.

References

International Journal of Cyber Criminology (IJCC). (n.d.). Www.cybercrimejournal.com.
https://www.cybercrimejournal.com/