Social Media Fostering Cybercrimes among Adults in Pakistan: Role of Lack of Empathy

Abstract

In criminology, digital environments are generally understood as social spaces which open new possibilities for criminal activity and crime victimization. The rapid and vast use of social media technologies has produced cybercrimes among adults. The current study was conducted to investigate the use of social media and lack of empathy as predictors of cybercrimes. The study was completed through correlational research design. Three self-administered research questionnaires were used to measure the research variables; Use of Social Media Questionnaire (SMQ), Lack of Empathy Questionnaire (LEQ), and Cybercrimes Activity Questionnaire (CAQ). Data were collected through online Google Forms. The 1191 adults provided the data. Findings of the study reveal that excessive use of social media predicts cybercrimes among adult. Moreover, results suggest that lack of empathy among adults also correlated with cybercrimes activity. In addition, both social media and lack of empathy are significant positive predictors of cybercrimes among adults. Furthermore, male adults reported greater tendency of using of social media and indulging criminal activities due to lack of empathy as compared to female adults. Role of lack of empathy is contributing a significant role in predicting cybercrimes among adults.  Cybercrimes laws in Pakistan are working poorly and there is no punishment to adults who are the victim of cybercrime activities.