The Social Dimensions of Cybercrime and Strategies for Combating It

Abstract

This study explores the social dimensions of cybercrime and strategies for its confrontation, noting its increasing prevalence in the Libyan society due to rapid technological advancement. Cybercrime differs from traditional crimes as it requires a minimum level of technical culture, involves the intent to harm others, and is often difficult to detect due to the lack of physical evidence, relying only on digital information traces. The research, utilizing a descriptive analytical method, aims to identify the social dimensions and causes of cybercrime, and their impacts on the victim and perpetrator, while proposing mechanisms for reduction. The findings indicate that cybercrime is often linked to factors such as unemployment and difficult economic and social pressures, which drive some individuals, particularly those with low self-control, to engage in criminal activities as a low-risk, high-return path to achieving desired goals, as explained by the Anomie theory. The study concludes with a set of strategies for prevention and confrontation, including enacting deterrent legislation, strengthening electronic police units, raising community awareness, and adopting strong individual protective measures.