Description
In the 21st century through Information Communication Technology (ICT) the world has become a “Global Village”. Social media have managed to attract attention of the world and access to internet has become a basic human right. There are over two billion individuals subscribed to internet and over five billion using mobile phones. Similar to real world, criminals and crimes exist in cyberspace. Cyber-crimes victimize users of internet and computers irrespective of their geographical location. The cyber-crimes reported in Sri Lanka in 2008 stood at 49 and it has increased to nearly 1,500 by 2011. This study examines whether there is an impact from social media to cyber-crimes in Sri Lanka. This study was conducted for the period of 2009 to 2011.
The study has investigated critical linkages between social media diffusion and cyber-crimes in Sri Lanka and analyzed the cyber-crimes committed in Sri Lanka during the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 in order to identify whether there was an impact from social media. It is vital to identify cyber-crimes that the Sri Lankan community encounters frequently and to determine whether there is a relationship between the cyber-crimes and social media in Sri Lanka. The network theory and theories of crimes such as the routine activity theory and rational choice theory were used for the study. After a literature survey, secondary data were collected from SLCERTCC for the years 2009 – 2011 on cyber-crimes reported. Through judgmental sampling method, a sample of 150 IT professionals representing public, private & NGO sectors were selected and a questionnaire was circulated. There were 103 respondents to the questionnaire and it was considered as the primary data source for this study.
After analysis of primary and secondary data, this study has revealed that there is a significant increase in cyber-crimes in Sri Lanka during 2009 – 2011 and that there is an association between social media and cyber-crimes in Sri Lanka. Further this study has identified that “Fake Accounts” in social networking sites were the main contributor for the increase in cyber-crimes in Sri Lanka during 2009 – 2011. According to the primary data collected, it was concluded that IT professionals consider social media as a catalyst for cyber-crimes. Social networking sites were a major contributor to cyber-crimes which occurred during 2009 – 2011.
The findings of this research can be used to grasp full effects of cyber-crimes and use social media for countering cyber-crimes. Also, this research can be used to create public awareness on the operations of cyber criminals and as a catalyst in minimizing cyber-crimes.
