Key Statistics:

• Prevalence: Over one-third of young people in 30 countries reported being a victim of online bullying (UNICEF, 2019).
• Impact: One in five young people reported skipping school due to cyberbullying (UNICEF, 2019).
• Methods: Bullying on devices (84%) is more common than face-to-face (61%). Most common online methods: text/messaging apps (56%), social media (43%), online games (30%) (Ofcom research, 2022).
• Underreporting: More than half (52%) of children experiencing online bullying did not describe it as bullying, and one in four (26%) did not report their experiences to anyone (ONS UK, 2020).

2. Social Media and Deviance: Impression Management & Communication Gaps

Platforms like TikTok become stages for constructing identities that can diverge from reality, while new communication styles create divides.

Definition: The use of social media to present a selective or altered self, deviating from authentic offline behavior, and the resulting shifts in communication norms.

How it Manifests (Case Examples):

• Samantha's Curated Identity: Crafting an online persona shaped by follower expectations (e.g., impression management). This can involve selective sharing, filtering, or exaggerating aspects of life, creating a "performance" rather than authentic self-expression.
• Nate's Digital Slang: Use of abbreviations, emojis, and specific slang that is normalized within online peer groups but deviates from formal or intergenerational communication.
• Alex's Online Anonymity: Criticizing celebrities online (disinhibition effect) in ways he wouldn't offline, enabled by perceived anonymity and distance. This can lead to more aggressive or uninhibited behavior.

Gaps Created by This Shift:

• Authenticity Gap: Discrepancy between online persona and offline reality, potentially leading to feelings of inadequacy or loneliness.
• Communication Richness Loss: Over-reliance on text-based communication, emojis, and abbreviations can strip away non-verbal cues (tone, facial expressions), leading to misunderstandings and reduced emotional depth in interactions. ~50% of people report misunderstandings in texts/emails due to lack of context (Turkle, 2015, as cited by IJIRT).
• Intergenerational Divide: Parents like Ross and Kristina adapting to emojis shows the struggle to bridge new digital communication norms.
• Polarization & Echo Chambers: Algorithms present content that reinforces existing beliefs, limiting intellectual diversity and leading to increased polarization in online discussions.

3. Digital Activism and Hacktivism: Online Protests

The internet empowers individuals and groups to use digital means to promote political or social causes, sometimes through disruptive or illegal methods.

Definition:

• Digital Activism: Using digital technologies (social media campaigns, online petitions, crowdfunding) to raise awareness and mobilize support for political or social change.
• Hacktivism: A blend of "hacking" and "activism," involving the use of hacking techniques (e.g., DDoS attacks, website defacement, data leaks) to achieve political or social goals.

Historical Context & Relevant Facts:

• Early Roots (1980s): Traced back to "phreaking" (manipulating telephone networks for free calls), showing early tech-driven rebellion against corporate control.
• Term Coined (1996): "Hacktivism" was officially coined by Omega, a member of the hacking collective Cult of the Dead Cow.
• Zippies (1994): An early example: Zippies attacked the UK government's website to protest laws restricting open-air raves.
• The Arab Spring (2010-2012): Hacktivists played a crucial role in supporting protestors by bypassing government censorship and facilitating communication and coordination via digital platforms.
• Anonymous: An iconic hacktivist collective known for its decentralized structure and operations targeting corporations and governments deemed unethical (e.g., Operation Payback in response to anti-WikiLeaks actions, protests against Scientology).
• Panama Papers (2016): A massive data leak revealing tax evasion through offshore accounts, a major act of digital transparency for social good.

4. Online Communities and Subcultures: Unconventional Norms

The internet provides spaces for niche groups to form, embracing alternative norms and values that challenge mainstream societal expectations.

Definition: Digital gatherings where individuals sharing specific interests, beliefs, or practices develop distinct norms, language, and social structures that may deviate from mainstream society.

Examples (from case context or general online phenomena):

• Gaming Communities (e.g., Speedrunning): While not inherently deviant, some online gaming subcultures can develop hyper-competitive or aggressive norms, or even condone cheating ("glitching") for competitive advantage, deviating from mainstream sportsmanship.
• Meme Cultures: Subreddits and groups dedicated to creating and sharing internet memes often have their own internal logic, dark humor, or ironic detachment that can be misunderstood or considered offensive by mainstream audiences.
• "Alt" or "Aesthetic" Communities (e.g., Dark Academia, Cottagecore): While largely harmless, these often embrace specific lifestyles, values, and aesthetics that intentionally contrast with conventional consumerism or mainstream aspirations, creating a deliberate "otherness."
• Certain Fan Fiction & Role-Playing Communities: Can explore themes or relationships that are outside mainstream societal norms (e.g., explicit content, unconventional pairings) within their specific, often private, online spaces.
• "Red Pill" or "Manosphere" Forums: These communities often promote misogynistic views, conspiracy theories, and anti-social behaviors, challenging mainstream norms of gender equality and social cohesion.
• Specific Political or Ideological Forums: Can foster echo chambers where extreme or fringe viewpoints are normalized and reinforced, deviating significantly from broader societal political discourse.

Impact: These subcultures provide a sense of belonging for individuals but can also lead to increased social polarization, reinforce harmful ideologies, or promote behaviors that are deviant from a societal perspective.

5. Digital Surveillance and Control: Privacy in Peril

The vast collection, storage, and analysis of personal data by governments and corporations raise significant concerns about privacy, data breaches, and control.

Definition: The monitoring of online activities, collection of personal data, and technological control mechanisms by state and non-state actors, often leading to privacy infringements and data security risks.

Key Issues:

• Data Collection & Profiling: Companies collect vast amounts of data on user behavior, preferences, and demographics, often without explicit or fully understood consent, for targeted advertising or other purposes.
• Government Surveillance: State agencies conduct surveillance for national security or law enforcement, but concerns exist regarding scope, oversight, and potential abuse (e.g., mass surveillance programs).

The Evolving Face of Deviance in the Digital Age

An Infographic on Online Behavior and Societal Norms

Introduction: Deviance Redefined

In today's interconnected world, digital platforms have transformed how we interact, present ourselves, and even how deviance manifests. Samantha's curated online identity, Nate's digital slang, and Alex's anonymous online criticisms highlight a fundamental shift: behaviors considered deviant offline may be normalized online, and new forms of misconduct emerge. This infographic explores how digital technology shapes deviance in modern society.

1. Cyber Deviance: Digital Misconduct

The internet's anonymity and reach provide new avenues for harmful and illicit behavior.

Definition: Acts of misconduct, harm, or crime committed using digital technologies and online platforms.

Examples:

• Cyberbullying: Repeated, aggressive behavior intended to harm another person using electronic forms.
• Online Harassment: Persistent, unwanted contact, threats, or intimidation via digital means.
• Hacking: Unauthorized access to computer systems or networks.
• Online Fraud: Deceptive practices conducted over the internet for financial gain (e.g., phishing, scams).