Cyber Crime and Role of Social Worker

Due to an upsurge in cybercrime incidences, the term "cybercrime" has gained popularity in recent years. Cybercrime is a compound word made up of the words "cyber" and "crime." Cybercrime is anything that involves computers or the internet, while crime is something bad or unlawful that is penalized.

The crime report indicates that there is an increase in online crime. 2,08,456 occurrences were reported in 2018, and this number climbed to 3,94,499 in 2019, 11,58,208 instances in 2020, and 14,02,809 cases in 2021. It is an unavoidable reality that 2,12,485 instances of cybercrime were reported in the first two months of 2022.

Alarming signs point to a rise in cybercrime. The already overworked investigative system is burdened by an increase in the number of cybercrime incidents each year. The National Crime Figures Bureau's records, which show that, on average, 65.81 percent of cases were still open for investigation at the end of each year, make this conclusion clear. I This portends a gloomy future because the mounting cases will soon overwhelm the mechanism for conducting investigations unless immediate action is made to lower the incidence of cybercrime.

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Cybercrime Causes:

Financial Cause:

One of the main motivations for cybercrime is profit. The days of going to a lonely street and waiting until dusk to steal, pilfer, or cheat are long gone. Now, a bank account can be accessed 365 days a year. One of the main motivations for committing cybercrimes is financial gain.

Easy mobile access

A mobile device has gotten more affordable and powerful as a result of the intense rivalry in this market. Mobile devices have become speedier and are now capable of handling nearly all tasks that were previously performed by PCs thanks to cheaper data packs and a faster network. In the hands of cybercriminals, mobile devices have developed into a potent tool for committing cybercrime.

Lack of technological knowledge:

One of the main factors influencing the increase of cybercrime is a lack of basic technological skills. Even well-educated people fail to recognize how technology empowers victims of cybercrime. Neglecting cybersecurity precautions can be disastrous and result in financial losses. For instance, in phishing attacks, victims voluntarily disclose vital financial details that cybercriminals then use against them to perpetrate cybercrime.

Privacy:

The idea of privacy is subjective and differs from one person to the next. It can be deadly to share too much information on social media sites. Lack of knowledge of the privacy settings accessible on social media is concerning because cybercriminals might take advantage of it.

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The Effects Of Cybercrime

Financial Effects:

Cybercrime causes massive financial losses. A research released in 2019 states that cybercrimes cost Rs. 1.25 lakh crore in losses. Numerous businesses and individuals are victims of cybercrimes like ransomware and phishing every year. According to one survey, ransomware attacks have impacted more than 78% of businesses.

Physical Loss:

A cybercriminal employs a variety of tactics to carry out their crimes, but one popular one is texting or chatting to seduce the victim into an emotional connection that later develops into extortion and harassment. The sufferer may be depressed and, in some cases, may have even killed themselves. Cybercrime's physiological harm necessitates concentration and research.

Victims of Diversity:

A victim of cybercrime could be a child, a teenager, or an elderly person. Because cybercrime comes in a variety of forms, its victims come in a range of ages. Due to their ignorance, young children are more prone to become victims of cybercrime. Consider the video game Blue Whale Challenge, where participants must accomplish various challenges including self-harm and suicide. [ii]

Cybercrime And The Social Worker's Role

Role in prevention:

A social worker can be very helpful in stopping cybercrime, particularly among students and schoolchildren. A social worker might carry out therapy when they notice particular behaviors or indicators. The impact of issues like cyberbullying on an individual might be discussed with a social worker.

Counseling:

In some instances, particularly when the victim is emotionally attached to the cyber attacker, cybercrime creates severe medical difficulties. The victim of extortion may experience remorse and dread if they are forced to release private images or videos. Counseling is crucial in these situations since the victim constantly lives in fear or guilt.

Conclusion

The Information Technology Act of 2000, which was revised in 2008, contains the legislation governing cyberspace. Electronic records, digital signatures, cybercrime, and other new areas of application have been developed and covered under the Information Technology Act. The world of technology has altered the way we work, play, and learn. We now share images, stories, and ideas via digital platforms. On a digital platform, we view, remark, agree, and disagree. Online transactions include purchases, sales, and contract signing.

Technology's new benefit also introduced its vulnerability in the form of cybercrime. It's true that the phrase "prevention is better than cure" applies to cybercrime because the majority of these crimes can be avoided with the right education and counseling. Most children and young people are victims of cybercrime, and social workers can play a crucial role in prevention and serve as counselors. Unfortunately, in the case of cybercrime, the social worker's function has been overlooked, and the victim suffers in silence.