Analysis of Risk Factors and Stimulating Reasons in the Phenomenon of Cyber Victimization

Abstract

Due to the popularity of mobile phones and the internet, as well as the development of electronic devices and various software, numerous benefits and facilities have emerged. However, misuse of these tools can lead to serious problems such as deliberate harm to others or cyber victimization. This study utilizes the Everyday Activities Theory and questionnaire techniques to analyze the risk factors and stimulating reasons for cyber victimization among citizens of Kashan City. According to the research findings, there is a significant relationship between independent variables such as online protection, online proximity to motivated offenders, risky offline activities, online attractive targets, deviant lifestyle, and the level of cyber victimization. Among these, the correlation between online proximity to motivated offenders and cyber victimization is greater than other independent variables (r=0.505, sig=0.000). Path analysis results also indicate that the linear combination of the independent variables present in the model can explain 37% of the variance in cyber victimization.