Cultural Perceptions of Cyberdeviance: A Cross-National Study

• In Event: Contemporary issues in cybercrime

Abstract

Cyberdeviance refers to online behaviors that violate social norms, yet these norms are context-dependent and culturally variable. Despite this, most research on societal perceptions of cyberdeviance focuses on Western populations. To address this gap, we conducted a comparative, vignette-based study across four countries (Germany N=311, UK N=312, China N=468, Korea N=294) to examine normative evaluations of three subtypes of cyberdeviance using social norms, mock trials, and behavioral willingness measures.
Findings revealed significant cross-cultural differences in normative judgments. Piracy and illegal streaming were the most tolerated forms of cyberdeviance across all samples. In Germany and the UK, cyberbullying was least acceptable, whereas in China and Korea, cyberespionage received the lowest normative endorsement. These perceptions correlated with behavioral willingness and punitive attitudes. Our findings highlight the cultural specificity of cyberdeviance and challenge the push for a universally harmonized cybercrime law modeled on Western frameworks.

Authors

• Alina Deana Machande, University of Bath

• Junghi Ha, Universität Erfurt

• Shujing Shi, University of Cambridge

• HongJun Park, University of Birmingham