#Respect: Applying Anderson's Code of Streets to Cybercrime

• In Event: Special Issues in Fear of Crime Research

Abstract

Originally developed as an explanation for inner-city violence, Anderson’s code of the street theory has recently been used to explain criminal offending, victimization, and fear of criminal victimization. It has also been adapted to fit various social contexts, such as schools and rural environments; and applied to distinct populations, such as college students and inmates. However, research has yet to investigate the applicability of the theory to online environments. Using a sample of college students from a regional university in the Northeast, the present study explores the existence of a “code of the Internet.” Further, in an attempt to determine why some individuals may adopt the code of the Internet, potential predicting variables are also examined, with specific focus placed on students’ fear of cyberbullying.

Authors

• Brad Reyns, Weber State University

• Billy Henson, Shippensburg University

• Kristin Swartz, University of Louisville