Cyber Victimisation. The Cyber World and the Digital Dangers for Youths and Adolescents

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2022 in the subject Law - Criminal process, Criminology, Law Enforcement, grade: 2:1, University of Portsmouth (Research), course: Criminology and Sociology, language: English, abstract: In this dissertation, crimes and abuse through the internet and social media are explored. Violence and crime arising from use of ICTs, including financial fraud, phishing, data breaching, identity theft, cyber extortion, sexual exploitation, harassment and cyberbullying against youths are considered. The contributing factors that cause and effect such youth victimisation are discussed and potential preventative measures are highlighted. The overall aim of this research study is to increase knowledge and awareness of cybercrime risks, in order to reduce youth victimisation to the fullest extent. This study will assist parents, carers, teachers, educators and future researchers in providing a more efficient and tailored response to educating youths on such dangers. A secondary based research method will be conducted to achieve this. Cyberspace in general, and cybercrime in particular, are comparatively recent phenomena. As technological advancements continue to develop, the internet and social media develop in tandem. The complex nature of the digital world exposes the vulnerable to exploitation in ways yet to be imagined, constant vigilance must be maintained as technology develops. Conflict between free speech and the need for measures to counter those with evil intent, known legally as cybercrime, is a fascinating dilemma. The increased availability of the internet has enabled cyber-criminals to exploit human and security vulnerabilities and commit acts of violence against youths through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Accordingly, youths who utilise the internet and related technologies are more vulnerable to ICT-facilitated exploitation, which is usually difficult to detect and control.