Australian Internet Users and Guardianship against Cyber Abuse: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

This study presents an empirical analysis of guardianship against abuse in cyberspace. Building upon the existing body of knowledge about active guardianship processes in the physical world, this study extends our understanding of how these processes operate in the unique setting of cyberspace. To collect information about cyber guardians and cyber abuse events witnessed by the guardians, an online survey of adult Australian users of the Internet and social media sites was conducted (n = 650). The results show that contextual awareness of cyberspace was predictive of witnessing and intervening in the events of cyber abuse. Based on the empirical results, the study makes practical recommendations on how crime prevention efforts could be boosted in cyberspace.