Snapchat victimization: an exploratory study

Abstract This study adds to the nascent literature examining cybercrime on Snapchat by providing prevalence estimates for victimization among adult Snapchat users and examining the factors associated with reporting such experiences. Using a cross-sectional survey ( n = 631), the extent to which adult Snapchat users had experienced victimization arising from their voluntary self-disclosures, their self-disclosures being screenshot and shared with others without their consent and needing to involve law enforcement because others were monitoring their activities is explored. The findings indicate that nearly one-in-twenty (4.9%) reported being victimized due to their self-disclosures, one-in-five (21.4%) had their self-disclosures screenshot and shared with others without their consent and one-in-fifty (2.1%) needed to involved law enforcement. The factors associated with reporting these experiences and the implications of the findings are discussed.