Causes and Effects of Cyber-Crime Victimization among Educated Youth: A Study of BZU, Multan

Abstract

As criminal activities are increasing in Pakistan, there are different types of crime that come into the mind. Cyber-crime is the most common among internet users, especially students who are connected online most of the time for different purposes. This study examined the nature of cyber-crime, causes of cyber-crime and its effects on victims. The sample for the study consists of 201 students from department of social sciences Bahauddin Zakirya University, Multan. The researcher used multi stage sampling and questionnaires as a tool for data collection. The results were analyzed by using SPSS. The results revealed that 86.5% of the respondents used internet every day, while 95(47.2%) of respondents used internet for study, other 30(14.9%) heard songs by using internet, 45(22.3%) youth played games and 41(20.3%) watched movies. University students become victimized due to fake online job 124(61.6%), while monetary reward 37(18.6%), chat in open room 20(9.9%) and downloaded games 20(9.95%). There are different effects like 80(39.8%) psychological losses which include mental effect of private information losing and risk of re-victimization. While 55(27.3%) respondents are harassed, on the other hand, 21(10.4%) respondents lost their financial data and 45(22.3%) students lost their personal information data. Future research will be needed to let the youth be fully aware of cyber-crime effects.