Biology and Cybercrime: Towards a Genetic-Social, Predictive Model of Cyber Violence

In what follows, an updated version of Owen’s (2014) Genetic-Social, meta-theoretical framework which has been employed in over 20 publications is briefly outlined and certain meta-constructs are ‘applied’ to the study of online violence. On 24 September 2015, the International Telecommunications Union, an agency of the United Nations, published a report on ‘Cyber Violence Against Women and Girls: A World-Wide Wake-Up Call’. The report, which at the time of writing (November 2015) has been formally retracted, appeared to define ‘cyber violence’ in terms of ‘online trolling’ and ‘online hate-speech’ targeted at women and girls. It is contended here that we need to conceptualise ‘cyber violence’ in broader terms. Cyber violence can be regarded as behaviour by an actor which takes place online and which is hostile and aggressive, and which may also be offensive, indecent, obscene or of a menacing character. The victims can be of any background with regard to age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality or social class.

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