Capable Guardians in the Digital Environment: The Role of Digital Literacy in Reducing Phishing Victimization

ABSTRACT

In this study, we use Routine Activities Theory to explore the role of digital literacy, a measure of guardianship, in the receipt of and response to phishing. Data for the study come from a nationally representative survey conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons. The analysis results in two conclusions. First, respondents with higher levels of digital literacy report receiving phishing e-mails more often, but report responding to them less. Second, the social position of a respondent matters, but largely for the receipt of phishing. These findings indicate that digital literacy significantly effects the receipt of and response to phishing.

Notes

¹ Not all security incidents and data breaches were due to phishing. The purpose of describing the Verizon data is to show the delineation between incident and breach.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Roderick Graham

RODERICK GRAHAM is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Old Dominion University. He received his Ph.D. from the City University of New York Graduate Center. His research explores the social implications information and communication technologies, especially how these technologies effect the inequalities between economic classes and racial groups. He has published research in The Journal of Race and Ethnicity, Sociological Focus, and First Monday.

Ruth Triplett

RUTH TRIPLETT is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Old Dominion University. She received her Ph.D. in 1990 from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research interests include social disorganization, labeling theory, and the role of gender and class in criminological theory. Her most recent publications are found in Theoretical Criminology, Journal of Criminal Justice, and Journal of Crime and Justice.