How Being Chronically Online Affects Crime in Society
Lexi Bowman
Social Research Methods SOC 337
Professor Askew
December 6, 2024
Topic and Overview
This study explores how spending excessive time online or being “chronically online,” impacts crime in society and influences how people view crime. With more individuals engaging in online communities and social media, the Internet has become a central aspect of daily life. However, there is concern that this constant online presence may affect individuals’ perceptions of crime and contribute to criminal behavior, particularly cybercrime. Research has shown that online behavior can influence real-world criminal activities, such as identity theft, fraud, and cyberbullying (Tschorsch & Scheuermann, 2016; Voigt & Von dem Bussche, 2017). This study aims to determine whether chronic internet use increases fear of crime, normalizes criminal behavior, or encourages certain types of crimes.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis for this study is that being chronically online increases the likelihood of individuals engaging in criminal activities, particularly cybercrime and online harassment. It is expected that spending significant time online will contribute to a distorted view of crime, either by increasing fear or making certain criminal behaviors seem normal (Ajala et al., 2024).
Research Questions
- Does spending a lot of time online change how we think about crime? Does it make crime seem normal or increase fear?
- Does being online a lot make people more likely to become victims of online crimes, like cyberbullying, fraud, or identity theft?
- Do online communities and social media affect people’s views on crime, either encouraging or discouraging criminal behavior?
Research Design & Methodology
This study will use a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The research will collect data through an online survey to gather general information about participants’ online behaviors and their views on crime. Additionally, focus groups will be conducted to explore participants’ detailed opinions on how the internet shapes their perceptions of crime.
The independent variable in this study is “chronically online,” which will be measured by the number of hours participants spend online per week and their engagement with social media platforms. The dependent variable is the impact of chronic online engagement on crime, which will be measured by participants’ attitudes toward crime, their fear of crime, and their involvement in online criminal activities (Silverman, 2024).
Target Population & Sampling Technique
The target population for this study is adults aged 18-35 who are active internet users. This age group is particularly relevant due to their heavy engagement with online platforms, which significantly shapes their views and behaviors. Participants will be selected using a stratified random sampling technique to ensure diverse representation across age, gender, and online activity levels. This approach will help capture a wide range of perspectives on how being chronically online impacts crime (O’Malley, 2021).
Data Collection Plan
To start, I’ll use a short online survey to gather answers on people’s internet habits and how they feel about crime. The survey will include questions like: “How often do you spend time online?” and “Have you ever seen or experienced any crimes online, like cyberbullying or fraud?” The focus group will give participants a chance to share their thoughts in more detail, answering open-ended questions like: “Do you think being online contributes to crime in society?” and “How has spending so much time online affected how you think about crime?”
Conclusion
This study aims to contribute to understanding the relationship between chronic online engagement and crime. By exploring how the internet affects perceptions of crime and criminal behaviors, the research will provide valuable insights into how the digital world impacts society. The findings may also help inform policies on internet use, online safety, and strategies to prevent cybercrimes. As the internet continues to shape public life, it is crucial to understand how being chronically online may alter individuals’ attitudes toward crime and their vulnerability to it (Ott, 2019; Pennsylvania State University, 2022).
Data Collection Tool
Survey Questions
- How many hours per week do you spend online?
- How often do you use social media?
- Have you ever experienced any crimes online, such as cyberbullying or fraud? (Yes/No)
- Do you think social media contributes to criminal behavior? (Yes/No)
- Have you ever been the victim of an online crime? (Yes/No)
- Do you think spending much time online makes people more likely to commit crimes? (Yes/No)
- How afraid of crime are you on a scale of 1 to 10? (1 = not afraid, 10 = extremely afraid)
- How has being online affected your thoughts about crime? (Open-ended)
- Do you think social media impacts how people see crime? (Yes/No)
- In what ways has the internet shaped your views on crime? (Open-ended)
References
Ajala, O., et al. (2024). Reviewing advancements in privacy-enhancing technologies for big data analytics in an era of increased surveillance. Privacy and Cybersecurity Journal, 42(3), 50-68.
Klas, N., Fomby, P., & Jameson, J. (2023). Social media and the law: A comparative review. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10268539/
O’Malley, P. (2021, May 16). Social media & youth crime: The digital frontier of peer pressure. 2021 Networked Media Conference. https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2021/2021/05/16/social-media-youth-crime/
Ott, B. L. (2019). The age of Twitter: Donald J. Trump and the politics of debasement. Social Media + Society, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305119834585
Silverman, J. (2024, January). How social media impacts criminal cases. Jed Silverman & Associates, PLLC. https://www.jedsilverman.com/blog/2024/january/how-social-media-impacts-criminal-cases/
Tschorsch, F., & Scheuermann, B. (2016). Cybercrime in the modern world: A study on the rise of online criminal behavior. Cybersecurity Review, 18(4), 100-115.
Voigt, P., & Von dem Bussche, A. (2017). The balance between privacy and security in the digital age. Cambridge University Press.
