Correlates of Juvenile Delinquency: A Study on Internet Usage, Family Functioning, and Social Prestige

Increased internet use is associated with changes in family structure and sociocultural values. These changes have a significant direct and indirect impact on juvenile delinquency. It has been observed that internet use in general, and social media use in particular, weakens social ties, leading to disintegration in the social structure and increasing individuals' tendency towards loneliness. It is particularly noteworthy that factors such as changes in family structure brought about by social media, the increase in divorce rates, and the shift and loss of values have a significant impact on the rise in juvenile delinquency. The relationship between these factors and juvenile delinquency is not linear, but rather a reciprocal sociocultural interaction resulting from the intertwining of these factors. This study analyzes the relationships between social factors and the number of juvenile delinquency in Türkiye. Using data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) covering the years 2009–2024, the relationships between the number of children involved in crime and the internet usage rate, divorce rate, and the importance given to factors that contribute to social prestige were evaluated through correlation analysis. According to the analysis results, positive and significant relationships were found between the number of children involved in crime and internet usage rates, divorce rates, and the importance placed on money. In contrast, a negative and significant relationship was identified between the importance placed on moral lifestyle and involvement in crime. The findings highlight the connection between changes in social values and children's involvement in crime.