"The impact of social media on the spread of deviant behaviors and cybercrime among a group of youth and teenagers in the city of Meknes: A sociological approach."

Abstract

The objective of this study is to understand cybercrime and its motives as a form of modern crime that is steadily increasing among the youth, who are the most frequent users of the internet and social media platforms. It aims to uncover the effects of this phenomenon on societal values and standards, as well as the psychological and social consequences it has on its victims, particularly in the absence of social control and weak legal regulations. To achieve this goal, a qualitative approach was employed, conducting semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of youth and teenagers in the city of Meknes. The study concluded that factors such as high poverty rates, unemployment, and increased leisure time drive a group of educated young individuals, in particular, to utilize their knowledge in criminal cyber activities in order to gain material benefits (such as hacking bank accounts, creating fake companies and e-commerce, identity theft, etc.). It also found that some individuals commit these types of crimes as a means of self-esteem, seeking challenge, recognition, and fame. Additionally, some individuals exploit cybercrime for purposes of extortion and threatening victims in exchange for financial and moral gains (e.g., revenge). Furthermore, it revealed the involvement of some individuals in deviant behaviors, such as online harassment, virtual sexual exploitation, bullying, and consumption of pornography, exposure to extremist and criminal ideas, among others