Utilizing criminological theories to predict involvement in cyberviolence among the iGeneration

Abstract

Cyberviolence is a growing concern, leading researchers to explore why some users engage in harmful acts online. This study uses leading criminological theories—the general theory of crime/self-control theory, social control/bonding theory, social learning theory, and general strain theory—to explore why 15–18-year-old American adolescents join ongoing acts of cyberviolence. Additionally, we examine the role of socio-demographic traits and online routines in perpetuating cyberviolence. Results of an ordinal logistic regression indicate that low self-control, online strain, closeness to online communities, and watching others engage in online attacks are associated with joining an ongoing act of cyberviolence. Moreover, an individual’s age and familial relationships are inversely related to joining an online attack. Taken together, all four criminological theories we test help predict engagement in cyberviolence, indicating an integrative theory may be valuable in understanding participation in cyberhate attacks.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by Award No. 2014-ZA-BX-0014, awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice.

Notes on contributors

Matthew Costello

Matthew Costello is an assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice at Clemson University. His research focuses on online hate and extremism and domestic and cross-national political violence and rebellion. His current work focuses on cyber-harassment related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ashley V. Reichelmann

Ashley V. Reichelmann is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology and Associate Director of the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention at Virginia Tech. Her research focuses on collective memory and past violence as a cause and consequence of contemporary violence and prejudice. Her current projects explore how representations of past violence, such as memorials and statues, affect communities and intergroup relations vis-à-vis views of the self, group prejudice, socio-emotional and attitudinal responses, and policy preferences

James Hawdon

James Hawdon is a professor of sociology and Director of the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on online extremism in domestic and cross-national settings. His current National Science Foundation project investigates the temporal-spatial flow of polarizing information.