The Dark Side of Connectivity: Examining the Role of Social Media in Rising Crime Rates in India
Dr. Bilal Ahmad Mir
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Sociology and Social Work, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu.
Sameer Maqbool Wani
Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of Sociology and Social Work, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu.
The study explores the role of social media in the rising crime rates in India, with a particular focus on youth involvement. It examines how social media platforms serve as conduits for cybercrimes such as identity theft, cyberbullying, online harassment, and financial fraud. Using Social Learning Theory, Strain Theory, and Routine Activity Theory, the research delves into how social media fosters criminal behaviour by promoting harmful role models, intensifying societal pressures, and creating environments conducive to crime. The paper highlights the vulnerabilities of young users, the challenges faced by law enforcement in regulating online spaces, and the societal impacts of crimes facilitated through social media. Despite government initiatives and legal frameworks aimed at curbing cybercrime, the study underscores persistent gaps in policy, digital literacy, and law enforcement capabilities. It calls for a multi-faceted approach combining education, regulation, and technological advancements to mitigate the growing nexus between social media and crime in India.
Keywords: Cybercrime, Social Media, Youth Crime
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