Virtually Criminal

This book offers an in-depth examination of cybercrime, exploring its causes and regulatory frameworks. Virtually Criminal is essential for understanding online deviance.

Cutting through the hyperbole surrounding the dangers of the Internet, Virtually Criminal analyzes online offence data and narratives from cyber citizens to provide an informed understanding of the causes and consequences of cybercrime. This book aims to demystify sensationalist claims about the Internet's risks by presenting an empirically grounded criminological analysis of deviance and regulation within online communities.

Virtually Criminal integrates theoretical frameworks with empirical research to offer a comprehensive explanation of cybercrime, while also providing fresh insights into the mechanisms of online regulation. It stands out as one of the pioneering studies that delve into the root causes of cyber deviance, crime, and its control, viewing the Internet as a dynamic site of social and cultural production. The book emphasizes the significance of online social and cultural formations in both the emergence and regulation of cyber deviance.

This work combines criminological, sociological, and linguistic theories to deliver a unique perspective on the aetiology of cybercrime and deviance. By analyzing focus group data and online offences, it establishes a clear interrelationship between online communities, deviance, and regulatory practices. The subject matter is inherently transnational, featuring numerous international case studies that enhance its relevance for readers across various countries, particularly in the US, UK, and Australasia. This innovative study will attract the interest of students and researchers in sociology, criminology, law, and media studies.