Risky Social Media Behaviors and the Potential for Victimization: A Descriptive Look at College Students Victimized by Someone Met Online

Abstract

This work uses original survey research to explore the nature of risky behaviors and exposure to potential offenders using social media as a means to initiate personal relationships. During fall 2016, instructors at a large university were recruited to conduct paper and pencil classroom surveys, resulting in a sample of 1310 undergraduate students. Their results first suggest that nearly all sampled students use social media and that half of college students use social media to meet new people. Alarmingly, ∼1 in 10 students disclosed personal information about themselves within 24 h of making initial contact with someone online. Furthermore, 1 in 20 young people chose to meet in person within 24 h of first contact. Among the survey respondents over 10% reported being a victim of stalking, cyberstalking, or sexual victimization resulting from a perpetrator they initially met on social media. The authors discuss these findings through a lifestyle-routine activity theory lens and explore the implications for understanding victimization risk.