Topic and Brief Overview
My research focuses on the impact of being chronically online on crime in society. As more
people spend time online, there’s growing concern about how this affects criminal behavior. The
rise of cybercrimes, such as hacking and online fraud, and the way the internet can influence
real-life crimes are key areas of focus.
Literature Review
According to Tschorsch & Scheuermann (2016), the internet has made it easier for individuals to
commit crimes without facing immediate consequences. Voigt & Von dem Bussche (2017)
discuss the balance between privacy and security in the online world, which can contribute to
cybercrime. Similarly, Ajala et al. (2024) highlight how online behavior can lead to real-world
criminal actions, such as identity theft or online harassment. These sources emphasize how
online interactions may increase certain types of crimes, directly supporting my research idea.
Hypothesis
Being chronically online increases a person’s likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior,
particularly cybercrime and online harassment.
Research Questions
– How does spending large amounts of time online influence real-life criminal behavior?
– Are individuals who are chronically online more likely to participate in online crimes like
hacking and phishing?
– What role does anonymity play in the decision to engage in criminal activities online?
Research Design/Methodology
For this research, I will use a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and
quantitative methods.
Independent Variable: Amount of time spent online (measured in hours per week)
Dependent Variable: Likelihood of engaging in online crimes (measured through self-report
surveys and existing crime data)
Target Population: Individuals aged 18-35 who are regular internet users.
Sampling Technique: I will use a stratified random sampling technique to ensure diverse
representation across age, gender, and online behavior.
Data Collection Plan: I will use an online survey to gather self-reported data from participants
about their online habits and any involvement in cybercrimes. Additionally, I will collect
secondary data on crime statistics related to internet crimes from law enforcement reports.
This combination of methods will help identify connections between online behavior and
criminal activity while allowing for a deeper understanding of the social and psychological
factors involved.
My research focuses on the impact of being chronically online on crime in society. As more
people spend time online, there’s growing concern about how this affects criminal behavior. The
rise of cybercrimes, such as hacking and online fraud, and the way the internet can influence
real-life crimes are key areas of focus.
Literature Review
According to Tschorsch & Scheuermann (2016), the internet has made it easier for individuals to
commit crimes without facing immediate consequences. Voigt & Von dem Bussche (2017)
discuss the balance between privacy and security in the online world, which can contribute to
cybercrime. Similarly, Ajala et al. (2024) highlight how online behavior can lead to real-world
criminal actions, such as identity theft or online harassment. These sources emphasize how
online interactions may increase certain types of crimes, directly supporting my research idea.
Hypothesis
Being chronically online increases a person’s likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior,
particularly cybercrime and online harassment.
Research Questions
– How does spending large amounts of time online influence real-life criminal behavior?
– Are individuals who are chronically online more likely to participate in online crimes like
hacking and phishing?
– What role does anonymity play in the decision to engage in criminal activities online?
Research Design/Methodology
For this research, I will use a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and
quantitative methods.
Independent Variable: Amount of time spent online (measured in hours per week)
Dependent Variable: Likelihood of engaging in online crimes (measured through self-report
surveys and existing crime data)
Target Population: Individuals aged 18-35 who are regular internet users.
Sampling Technique: I will use a stratified random sampling technique to ensure diverse
representation across age, gender, and online behavior.
Data Collection Plan: I will use an online survey to gather self-reported data from participants
about their online habits and any involvement in cybercrimes. Additionally, I will collect
secondary data on crime statistics related to internet crimes from law enforcement reports.
This combination of methods will help identify connections between online behavior and
criminal activity while allowing for a deeper understanding of the social and psychological
factors involved.
