Factors of Cyber-Victimization

Abstract

The article discusses in details the factors of cyber-victimization, i. e. reasons and driving forces of the considered process. The author considers the existing defi nitions of "victimization factors" and, on their basis, his own defi nition is formulated in relation to the subject of the study. Thus, it is proposed to understand the factors of cyber victimization as the essential circumstances (causes and conditions) of the transformation of an individual into a victim of cybercrimes. In the course of a meta-analysis of domestic and foreign studies, four levels of cyber-victimization factors have been identifi ed, their defi nition has been proposed, and their structural components have been systematized. It is proposed to distinguish four groups of victimogenic triggers, among them: 1. behavioral (in the form of an individual›s activity that infl uences the determination of victim states); 2. psychological (which are expressed in conscious and unconscious mental constructs that determine the behavior of potential victims in a virtual environment); 3. social (facts of the society's life, correlating with indicators of cyber-victimization) and 4. technical (as a complex of factors relating to the infrastructure that supports high- tech development of society and forms industry victim-related risks). The specifi ed factors are provided with a detailed description and specifi cation of the subcomponents included in them, in addition, visualization of thespecified model by the method of mental mapping is performed in the article. The author formulates the main findings concerning the problem of determination cyber-victim behavior. First, the sufficient diversity of the underlying facts is emphasized. Secondly, it is noted that the presented factors are in constant transformation, and cyber-victimization critically depends on them. Third, the uniqueness of behavioral and technical triggers of virtual victimization is articulated. Fourth, the question of the specificity of psychological factors of cyber-victimization and the difference between their factors of traditional victimization is brought up for discussion.