Internet addiction being the most important one criminology essay

Cyber-bullies often succeed in bullying others by Creating phony social networking accounts on MySpace or Facebook, sending out unwanted and insulting e-mails or instant messages, creating hurtful internet polling (Who is hot and who is ugly), stealing people’s social networking passwords, Uploading embarrassing or harmful images online for the public to see, revealing personal information including real name, address and telephone numbers online, and so on. (Roberts, 2013). According to research, it’s been noted that cyber bullies present themselves with a number of psychosocial problems, and as these problems (social, behavioral and psychological problem) increase, the frequency of cyber bullying actions also increase (Kiriakidis & Kavoura, 2010). Moreover, cyber bullies were found to be more likely aggressive, display more rule-breaking behavior, report more poor child–caregiver relationships and be more targets of bullying. It was also noted that cyber bullies who get harassed online and offline tend to retaliate by engaging in cyber bullying themselves (Kiriakidis & Kavoura, 2010). A key factor in determining what may lead to internet abuse (cyber bulling) is the behaviour of teen users and what type of information they choose to disclose on their social networking profiles. This typically consists of pictures/images of themselves or with their friends and other personal information such as school name, address, instant messenger ID, and cell/home phone number (Sengupta & Chaudhuri, 2011). Flirtatious activities and presentation of false information may trigger and encourage contacts from strangers and other forms of online harassment. Hence, other factors that determine include whether teens partake in online chat rooms, whether they occasionally use social networking websites to flirt and lastly, where they display fake information about themselves on their profile (Sengupta & Chaudhuri, 2011).

Preposition of Social Bond theory

Social bond theory was introduced in 1969 by Travis Hirschi in his publication of Causes of Delinquency. As part of the social control theories family, social bond theory presumes that delinquent and criminal behaviours are normal, and conformist behaviour is the phenomenon that needs to be explained (Hass, 2001). According to Hirschi, individuals are predisposed to commit crime and that the conventional bond that is formed with the individual prevents or reduces their offending. This bond is made up of four construct: attachments, commitment, involvement, and moral beliefs regarding committing crime. The social bond theory is perhaps the most influential social control theory (Hass, 2001). Most humans can be adequately socialized to become tightly bonded to conventional entities, such as, communities, schools and families. The stronger an individual is bonded to conventional society, the less likely it is that he or she will commit criminal offenses. Behaviours that are in defilement of the criminal codes and social norms (e. g. cyber-bullying) are to be expected. The theory emphasizes more on why individuals do not commit delinquent acts rather than why they do commit delinquent and criminal behaviours (Hass, 2001). Hirschi also proposed that individuals abstain from delinquent behaviour because they are bonded to society by four elements. Socializing processes originate from home, and are later widened to encompass other societal institutions (Hass, 2001)AttachmentThe first construct or element of the social bond is attachment, and it speaks to an individual’s sensitivity to other people’s opinions. Attachment is defined as the amount of affection bond and respect that an individual has for his or her significant others, such as, teachers and parents (Hass, 2001). Attachment is the most important factor of social bonding and it is vitally important for the internalization of conventional values. The essence of internalization of norms, conscience, and superego lies in the attachment of the individuals to others. Strong early attachments are the most important factor in developing a social bond. Individuals who are sensitive to the feelings and norms of role models are unlikely to participate in delinquent behaviour (Hass, 2001). However, individuals who lack the attachment element often freely express their aggressiveness and impulsiveness. Lacking attachment to others means that individuals are free from moral restraints and often feel no sense of guilt or conscience. Those who have no attachment whatsoever are free to commit deviant behaviours because they feel no remorse for opposing the law. Forming a strong attachment to peers who obey the law will decrease chances of engaging in delinquent behaviours while attachment to delinquent peers will increase the probabilities of being deviant (Hass, 2001). CommitmentThe second element of the social bond theory is commitment. It can be defined as the investment or stakes than an individual has in conventional society. It has been explained as one’s personal stake in conformity, or the things that are risk of being lost if a person gets caught committing a crime. These stakes in conformity or commodities include but not limited to education, employment and a good reputation within the society. (Hass, 2001) These things usually take a lot of and effort to achieve. Commitment also involves a person’s rational thought and careful evaluation of his or her conventional stakes before engaging in delinquent behaviours. Individuals may underestimate the risks of getting caught and they can also be unaware of the factors that might increase their likelihood of getting caught. Hence, engaging in delinquent behaviours (e. g. cyber bullying) may be the result of lack of commitment (Hass, 2001). If most individuals feel like they have too much to lose by committing a crime, they will likely refrain from it. In contrast, if an individual knows he has nothing to lose, there isn’t much to stop them from committing a crime (or engaging in activities like cyber bullying) (Hass, 2001). BeliefAnother element of the social bond theory is belief, which has generally been interpreted as moral beliefs concerning the law and rules of society (Hass, 2001). It is one of the most examined and supported element of the social bond. Belief pertains to the extent which an individual feels that they should or should not obey the rules of the society (Hass, 2001). People who lack a strong belief in the conventional value system are more likely to engage in delinquent behaviour. This element also presumes that there is a common value system, but those who are delinquent do not necessarily agree with it. Individuals who feel as though a course of action is against their moral beliefs are much less likely to pursue it than those who don’t see a breach of morality in such behaviour. Those who lack belief do not necessarily possess values that are contrary to the society’s value system, or neither feel the need to neutralize deviant behaviours, they just believe they’re not obligated to obey values of the society (Hass, 2001). InvolvementThis element pertains to the time an individual spends in conventional activities. It was assumed that the time a person spends in constructive activities will decrease the time devoted to delinquent behaviours (Hass, 2001). Involvement correlates with the saying that idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Hirschi also assumed that if a person immersed in conventional activities such as sports, the person will not have time to engage in delinquent activities. This presumption is weak in the sense that there is a possibility that youths might engage in conventional activities and delinquent activities at the same time. This element of social bond theory also failed to touch on the fact that youths/individuals who partake in delinquent activities might also be involved in conventional activities (Hass, 2001).