Digital Criminality An Ethnographic Perspective on cyber-crimes in Pakistan

Abstract

With the rise of technological expansion, the world is changing at a rapid pace by disrupting the social fabric through manipulating the desires of a vast majority to pursue the false ideals of modernity and leaving the remaining half alienated and isolated waiting for their turn to get modernized. The concept of modernization by means of technology has long been debated and remains contested to the present day. Speculations of digital dictatorship to the doubts of intimate selves being exposed through massive digitalization indicate a bigger political, social and moral catastrophe that awaits mankind. This thesis is a qualitative study, which attempts to fill the gap left behind by generalized studies on digital crimes. This study focuses on the experiences of victims of cyber violence emanating from cyber crime and the sociopsychological impacts on the victims and their subsequent coping mechanisms. It seeks to explore the nature of cyber violence and possible motives of the perpetrators behind such crimes. In addition, it incorporates the victim's perspective on digital abuse and their coping mechanisms. The sample included men, women and trans-gender people from different backgrounds. The data was collected through digital fieldwork, using netnography as the main method of research. The research was carried out using the technique of semi-structured conversational interviews, that helped getting a better understanding of the topic at hand. The study's main findings indicate that digital world is brimming with crimes such as verbal abuse, stalking, threats and revenge pornography. In addition, crime syndicates such as beelas now operate through the internet. Economic crimes are also a major problem faced by numerous individuals. These crimes were identified and the resultant socio-psychological impacts were imminent. The victims faced social isolation, victim blaming, depression, anxiety and sometimes suicidal tendencies accelerated. The research also emphasizes the distinctive individual experience and the coping mechanisms of victims. This research thesis concludes with certain recommendations provided by the victims coupled with the researcher's own analysis.