A Lifestyle-Routine Activity Theory (LRAT) Approach to Cybercrime Victimization: Empirical Assessment of SNS Lifestyle Exposure Activities

Abstract

The Internet and its overwhelming possibilities and applications have changed individuals lifestyles related to socializing, working, and spending leisure time. Social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook or Instagram are ideal settings for interacting with others, and unfortunately, are also ideal settings for motivated offenders to commit cybercrimes, thus making individuals more vulnerable. The purpose of this study is to investigate the occurrence of cybercrime victimization, specifically cyber-harassments, cyber-impersonation, and hacking. Self-report surveys collected from a sample of 100 respondents were examined using a logistic regression analysis to determine possible relationships between SNS lifestyle exposure activities and the cybercrime victimization. The results indicate moderate support for the application of lifestyle-routine activity theory (LRAT) to cybercrime victimization. Possible educational and managerial implications, as well as suggestions for future research, are discussed.