Peer pressure, socio-economic status and gender difference on cybercrime tendencies of undergraduates

This study examined the relationship between peer pressure, socio-economic status, gender difference and cybercrime tendencies of undergraduate students. To this aim, a descriptive survey design of the correlational type was employed. This study also used a multi-stage sampling technique. Three hundred university undergraduates made the study's sample. Data was collected using reliable instruments, i.e. Cybercrime tendencies scale, Peer pressure scale, and Socio-economic status scale. From the results, the male undergraduates showed more cybercrime tendencies than their female counterparts. There were significant relationships between cybercrime tendencies and peer pressure, socio-economic status, and gender. Peer pressure made the most significant contribution, followed by socio-economic status and gender. Although society is becoming more dependent on computers than ever before and technology is still advancing, the study found that it is still worthwhile to invest in fighting cybercrime, particularly for undergraduate students.