Abstract
This quantitative-based research determined whether the routine activity theory influences cyber victimization. To measure the dimensions of the theory, defined as exposure to a motivated offender, suitable online target, and absence of a capable guardian, a valid and reliable questionnaire was used. The cyber victimization questionnaire developed by Álvarez-García, Dobarro, and Núñez was applied to 1,285 students selected at random from schools in Colombia. Findings: 46% are identified as exposed to a motivated offender, 37.5% are suitable online targets, and 29.8% have no capable guardians. The interdependence of these three elements revealed that 3.9% of students are at risk due to their routine activities, which had a significant influence on cyber victimization. It is proposed that these findings should be considered in the design of communicative and educational policies aimed at a responsible use of technologies.
Highlights
This quantitative-based research determined whether the routine activity theory influences cyber victimization
The theoretical definitions expressed by Cohen and Felson (1979) were considered for the design of the items in this questionnaire, which point out three dimensions: exposure to a potential motivated offender; suitable online target, and capable guardian, already previously described
Showing five or more of these behaviors represented that children or teen constitute a suitable online target
Summary
Data were collected from 1285 female (52%) and male students from grades 6–11, from 15 public schools, both in the urban area (84.9%) and in the rural areas of Antioquia and Chocó (Colombia). 85% of students indicated that their school has an Internet connection and almost half were able to access the network from anywhere (Table 2). The first section was a questionnaire designed by researchers to measure the three RAT dimensions proposed by Cohen and Felson (1979). This questionnaire was submitted for expert validation and a content validity coefficient greater than .8 was obtained, which is considered optimal. The theoretical definitions expressed by Cohen and Felson (1979) were considered for the design of the items in this questionnaire, which point out three dimensions: exposure to a potential motivated offender; suitable online target, and capable guardian, already previously described. The scores for each dimension were obtained from the sum of the items of each dimension
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