Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Internet Addiction and Cybercrime

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
The Palgrave Handbook of International Cybercrime and Cyberdeviance

Abstract

This chapter looks at whether a credible link exists between “internet addiction” – the phenomenon of being “hooked on” online activities – and cybercrime. The bulk of this chapter explores trends and controversies surrounding internet addiction and then examines research findings linking internet addiction to cybercrime. Psychologists’ interventions for reducing the adverse effects of internet addiction are also discussed at the chapter’s end.

Young people are increasingly committing and being drawn into cyber-criminality. For example, in 2015, a UK telecommunications company had a security breach and lost valuable data. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the investigation, all aged between 15 and 20 years of age. The company has subsequently reported that the data breach has cost the firm up to £60 million; an estimated 101,000 customers have left the company following the hack. In October 2016 the company was fined £400,000 for theft of customer details and their failure to implement basic cybersecurity measures. The UK Information Commissioner’s Office, which imposed the fine, said security was so poor that the attack succeeded ‘with ease,’ which is notable given the age of those arrested. – Aiken et al. (2016a, p. 2)

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 649.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aiken, M. (2016). The cyber effect: A pioneering cyberpsychologist explains how human behavior changes online. New York: Spiegel & Grau.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aiken, M., Davidson, J., & Amann, P. (2016a). Youth pathways into cybercrime. Retrieved 21 Nov 2018, from http://www.maryaiken.com/new-blog/2016/11/21/youth-pathways-into-cybercrime-aiken-davidson-amann-2016

  • Aiken, M., McMahon, C., Haughton, C., O’Neill, L., & O’Carroll, E. (2016b). A consideration of the social impact of cybercrime: Examples from hacking, piracy, and child abuse material online. Contemporary Social Science, 11(4), 373–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Arkin, O. (2002). Tracing hackers: A concept for tracing and profiling malicious computer attackers. Computer Fraud & Security, 5, 8–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beutel, M. E., Bruhler, E., Glaesmer, H., Kuss, D. J., Wufling, K., & Muller, K. W. (2011). Regular and problematic leisure-time Internet use in the community: Results from a German population-based survey. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 14, 291–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Block, J. (2008). Issues for DSM-V: Internet addiction. American Journal of Psychiatry, 165, 306–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campanella, M., Mucci, F., Baroni, S., Nardi, L., & Maratzziti, D. (2015). Prevalence of Internet addiction: A pilot study in a group of Italian high-school students. Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 12(4), 90–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cho, H., Kwon, M., Choi, J.-H., Lee, S.-K., Choi, J. S., Choi, S.-W., & Kim, D.-J. (2014). Development of the Internet Addiction Scale based on the Internet gaming disorder criteria suggested in DSM-5. Addictive Behaviors, 39, 1361–1366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Cock, R., Vangeel, J., Klein, A., Minotote, P., Rosas, O., & Meerkerk, G.-J. (2014). Compulsive use of social networking sites in Belgium: Prevalence, profile, and the role of attitude toward work and school. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(3), 166–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dick, D. M., Smith, G., Olausson, P., Mitchell, S. H., Leeman, R. F., O’Malley, S. S., & Sher, K. (2010). Understanding the construct of impulsivity and its relationship to alcohol use disorders. Addiction Biology, 15, 217–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dong, G., DeVito, E. E., Du, X., & Cui, Z. (2012). Impaired inhibitory control in ‘Internet addiction disorder’: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 203, 153–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elmer-DeWitt, P. (1993). Cyberpunk. Time Magazine, 141(6), 58–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, C. B. (2008). Internet gaming addiction. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 4, 42–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, L. (2015). Rise in child and teen fraud arrests mainly due to increase of Internet-based crimes. Retrieved 28 Nov 2018, from https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/rise-in-child-and-teen-fraud-arrests-mainly-due-to-increase-of-internetbased-crimes/news-story/fc620acdb8379e30ab46f17493e40475

  • Hetzel-Riggin, M. D., & Pritchard, J. R. (2011). Predicting problematic Internet use in men and women: The contributions of psychological distress, coping style, and body esteem. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(9), 519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holt, T., & Kilger, M. (2008). Techcrafters and makecrafters: A comparison of two populations of hackers. In WOMBAT workshop on information security threats data collection and sharing (pp. 67–78).

    Google Scholar 

  • Howell, J. (2018, November 10). Dumb, but happy. The Globe and Mail, p. P5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hucker, S. J. (2004). Disorders of impulse control. In W. O. Donohue & E. Levensky (Eds.), Forensic psychology. New York: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hwang, Y., & Jeong, S.-H. (2015). Predictors of parental mediation regarding children’s smartphone use. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 18(12), 737.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kent, K., Chevalier, S., Grance, T., & Dang, H. (2006). Guide to integrating forensic techniques into incident response. Gaithersburg: Computer Security Resource Center.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kilger, M., Arkin, O., & Stutzman, J. (2004). Profiling. In Know your enemy: Learning about security threats. Boston: Addison Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ko, C.-H., Yen, J.-Y., Yen, C.-F., Lin, H.-C., & Yang, M.-J. (2007). Factors predictive for incidence and remission of Internet addiction in young adolescents: A prospective study. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 10(4), 545–551.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koronczai, B., Urban, R., Kokonyei, G., Paksi, B., Papp, K., Kun, B., Arnold, P., Kallai, J., & Demetrovics, Z. (2011). Confirmation of the three-factor model of problematic Internet use on off-line adolescent and adult samples. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(11), 657.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ksherti, N. (2009). Positive externality, increasing returns, and the rise of cybercrimes. Communications of the ACM, 52, 141–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laier, C., Pekal, J., & Brand, M. (2014). Cybersex Addiction in heterosexual female users of Internet pornography can be explained by gratification hypothesis. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(8), 505.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lam, L. T., Peng, Z.-W., Mai, J.-C., & Jing, J. (2009). Factors associated with Internet addiction among adolescents. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 12(5), 551–555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesher, A. I. (1997). Addiction is a brain disease, and it matters. Science, 278, 807–808.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lickiewicz, J. (2011). Cyber crime psychology – Proposal of an offender psychological profile. Problems of Forensic Science, 87, 239–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacQueen, K. (2004). Hooked on crime. Maclean’s, 117(52), 82–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, S. (2016, January 17). Cyber crime costs projected to reach $2 trillion by 2019. Retrieved 9 Apr 2019, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevemorgan/2016/01/17/cyber-crime-costs-projected-to-reach-2-trillion-by-2019/#2f4eb8153a91

  • Niemz, K., Griffiths, M., & Banyard, P. (2005). Prevalence of pathological Internet use among university students and correlations with self-esteem, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and disinhibition. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 8(6), 562–570.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nykodym, N., & Marsillac, E. L. (2007, March 4). The managers guide to understanding, detecting, and thwarting computer crime: An international issue. Published in the Proceedings of the National Business and Economic Society international meeting 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nykodym, N., Ariss, S., & Kurtz, K. (2008). Computer addiction and cyber crime. Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics, 35, 55–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, S. (2014). Over 90 arrested in global FBI crackdown on Blackshades RAT. Retrieved 28 Nov 2018, from https://www.darkreading.com/over-90-arrested-in-global-fbi-crackdown-on-blackshades-rat/d/d-id/1252912

  • Ploskin, D. (2018). What are poor impulse controls? Retrieved 24 Nov 2018, from https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-are-impulse-control-disorders/

  • Rachlin, H. (1990). Why do people gamble despite heavy losses? Psychological Science, 1, 294–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reed, L. (2002). Governing (through) the Internet. European Journal of Cultural Studies, 5(2), 131–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ressler, R. (1997). Criminal personality profiling. Problems of Forensic Sciences, 35, 32–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarda, E., Begue, L., Bry, C., & Gentile, D. (2016). Internet gaming disorder and well-being: A scale validation. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 19(11), 674.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarkis, S. (2014). Internet gaming disorder in DSM-5. Retrieved 28 Nov 2018, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/here-there-and-everywhere/201407/internet-gaming-disorder-in-dsm-5

  • Schell, B. (2016). Online health and safety: From cyberbullying to Internet addiction. Santa Barbara: Greenwood.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schell, B., Dodge, J., & Moutsasos, S. (2002). The hacking of America: Who’s doing it, why, and how. Westport: Quorum Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shotton, M. (1989). Computer addiction? A study of computer dependency. London: Taylor & Francis.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Su, W., Fang, X., Miller, J. K., & Wang, Y. (2011). Internet-based intervention for the treatment of online addiction for college students in China: A pilot study of the healthy online self-helping center. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(9), 497.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, H. (2016). An inside look at what’s driving the hacking economy. CNBC. Retrieved 28 Nov 2018, from https://www.cnbc.com/2016/02/05/an-inside-look-at-whats-driving-the-hacking-economy.html

  • Turvey, B. (2002). Criminal profiling. London: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Volkow, N. D. (2004). The reality of comorbidity: Depression and drug abuse. Biological Psychiatry, 56, 714–717.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, M. B. (1989). Some problems with the concept of “gaming addiction”; Should theories of addiction be generalized to include excessive gambling? Journal of Gambling Behavior, 5, 179–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, P. (2015, January 29). Suspect in Todd case proclaims innocence. The Globe and Mail, p. A3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieland, D. M. (2005). Computer addiction: Implications for nursing psychotherapy practice. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 41, 153–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, C.-S., & Cheng, F.-F. (2007). Internet café addiction of Taiwanese adolescents. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 10(2), 220–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yar, M. (2005). Computer hacking: Just another case of juvenile delinquency? The Howard Journal, 44, 387–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, K. S. (1996). Psychology of computer use: XL. Addictive use of the Internet: A case that breaks the stereotype. Psychological Reports, 79, 899–902.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, K. S. (1998). Internet addiction: The emergence of a new clinical disorder. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 1(3), 237–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, K. S. (2009). Internet addiction: Diagnosis and treatment considerations. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 39, 241–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, T.-K., & Chao, C. (2016). Internet misconduct impact adolescent mental health in Taiwan: The moderating roles of internet addiction. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 14, 921–936.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Management, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada

    Bernadette Schell

Authors
  1. Bernadette Schell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bernadette Schell .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Social Science, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    Thomas J. Holt

  2. Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA

    Adam M. Bossler

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 The Author(s)

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Schell, B. (2020). Internet Addiction and Cybercrime. In: Holt, T., Bossler, A. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of International Cybercrime and Cyberdeviance. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78440-3_26

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation