Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Investigating cybercrime amongst female students in Saudi Arabia and identifying how social work can respond to the challenges(Univeersity of Birmingham, 2024) Aldoweekh, Tarfa; Fillingham, Joy; Cooner, Tarsem SinghExisting literature has suggested that there is a need for Saudi Arabia’s social work sector to address cybercrime against women as an emerging social issue. Cybercrime has been steadily rising in Saudi Arabia, and studies have shown that young women are more likely to be the victims. There are, however, this study is the first qualitative study that explore the issue of cybercrime in Saudi Arabia from the perspective of both social workers and the people that they support. This study therefore offers a contribution to the existing literature by critically investigating the role social workers in the university context play, in supporting female students with cybercrime. The research used an interpretative qualitative approach, conducting 30 semi- structured interviews with 15 female social worker participants, and 15 female student participants. The results of the study found that cybercrime against young women was very common, yet few of the students had sought out the help of social workers. The research identified that one of the most significant barriers to young female students seeking out the help of social workers in cybercrime related issues, was a fear of shame or familial punishment. The study also explored how the nature of social work in Saudi Arabia is shaped by the culture and origins for the country This has implications for both young women encountering cybercrime and highlights limitations of ethical and effective social work practice as it is experienced in Saudi Arabia at present. The study also sought to explore how these findings could be applied to wider Saudi Arabian society, particularly in relation to the topic of female agency and gender norms in Saudi Arabia. and how this information could be used to improve and solidify the social work profession in Saudi Arabia.15 0Item Restricted To what extent does the presence of anonymity contribute to the fluctuations observed in cyberbullying behaviours demonstrated by students in higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia?(University of Nottingham, 2024-04) Alamr, Badr; Chesney, Thomas; McKenzie, RobinRapid improvements in technology, particularly in the communications industry, have caused a major evolution in the way individuals make contact, socialise and interact with one another. Unquestionably, these improvements have also had negative impact. Social media has contributed to the world by allowing the transfer of social communication from the real world into the virtual world. It should be acknowledged that social media has a great deal of benefit for individuals. The ease of social media use has helped individuals to connect with wider audiences anytime and anywhere. However, advancements in and features of social media can also lead to harmful effects, such as cyberbullying, which is the focus of this research. Bullying is a social issue in the real world that has shifted into cyberspace under the name ‘cyberbullying’ . Previous research on cyberbullying has developed an understanding of such a problem, with some gaps that still need to be addressed. The overall research aim was to develop an understanding of cyberbullying causes in higher education students in Saudi Arabia. It should be taken into consideration that after this research started, universities moved their activities completely online because of Covid-19. This can motivate such research, as cyber-related work is likely to become increasingly important when working from home becomes the new normal. This research addresses three key gaps. First, the age gap is addressed, since the cyberbullying research field has focused intensively on younger age groups rather than university students. Second, the population gap is addressed, as very few cyberbullying studies have been conducted in the Saudi Arabian context. There are many social media users in the country, so this research aims to explore a new culture. Third, the research field gap is explored; previous cyberbullying studies have tended to overlook the factor of technology when exploring cyberbullying and lack a standardised theoretical approach with which to unify inconsistent results. To address these gaps, the social media cyberbullying model (SMCBM) developed by Lowry et al. (2016) was used. This model was modified based on Akers’ (2009) theory of social learning and social structure (SSSL). The original SSSL model was adopted from the criminology field, while the developed SMCBM model was contextualised to fit cyberspace, adding the information technology artefacts of anonymity and social structure. Testing such a model can contribute to the field of cyberbullying. This model was tested via a questionnaire sent to 414 Saudi university students, from University of Hail, who have been involved in cyberbullying. Moreover, to explain some results and obtain a profound understanding of particular parts of the questionnaire, it was followed by interviews with 10 students. Based on the questionnaire and interview findings, the results of this research support the SMCBM. Anonymity contributed to the social learning variables of cyberbullying through social media, thus encouraging the frequency of cyberbullying. There were notable findings related to the perception of the cost of cyberbullying, and the situational morality of cyberbullying, among the sample. As for the cost, the participants seemed to consider the consequences of cyberbullying, due to the religious background of the sample, as well as the enforcement of internet crime laws and cyberbullying campaigns by public authorities in Saudi Arabia. As a result, the sample demonstrated a stringent attitude towards cyberbullying, likely influenced by an increased awareness of its potential repercussions. As for the situational morality, in addition to conventional explanations such as revenge and attention-seeking, the research uncovered a different perspective, revealing a prevailing belief among participants that cyberbullying served a greater purpose in defending ethics, religion, and traditions, which reflects a nuanced situational morality among the respondents. The research results have some indications with regard to cyberbullying. Most importantly, some suggestions are provided for universities to minimise bullying in the online learning process.42 0Item Restricted Cybercrime related to the Internet(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-11-25) Alqahtani, Daifullah; Mills, AlanIn today's digital era, online services have become essential components of our daily lives and societal structures. However, along with their numerous benefits, they also expose us to the growing threat of cybercrime. While these platforms are praised for their efficiency, quick delivery, and extensive reach, they inadvertently create opportunities for malicious individuals (Maurushat and Halpin, 2022). The consequences of cybercrimes are multi-faceted: businesses and individuals suffer significant financial losses, while victims often experience long-lasting psychological distress. Our study aims to address this pressing issue by unravelling the intricate relationship between the growth of digital services and the accompanying risks they entail. Furthermore, we aim to develop informed strategies that enable safer digital interactions in the future. Our research utilised a comprehensive approach, including an extensive literature review and data analysis. We sourced scholarly materials from various academic databases, digital libraries, and credible online sources such as journals, books, and reports. By using specific keywords like "cybercrime," "surface web," "deep web," "dark web," and "TOR network," we gathered a vast dataset relevant to our study's focus. Our study aimed to uncover vulnerabilities within online services that cybercriminals exploit. Additionally, we sought to outline how these crimes utilise internet resources. Our methodology was guided by a research framework that proved vital in achieving our objectives of understanding both cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent crimes. The research presented strong evidence linking the increase in online services to a significant rise in cybercriminal activities. From 2015 to 2023, cybercrime experienced a staggering 60% surge, reflecting the rapid growth of digital adoption. Cybercrimes rooted in digital methods, such as hacking and deploying viruses, thrive by exploiting vulnerabilities within interconnected systems. As digital platforms become more integrated into our daily lives, the research shows an increase in advanced and frequent cybercrimes. A key element of this strategy involves combining advanced technological countermeasures with a strong focus on user awareness and education. Equally important are stringent regulations that ensure consistent and enforced protective measures across all digital platforms. By applying technological defences, enforcing regulatory mandates, and educating the public, we can effectively navigate and neutralise the ever-evolving cyber threats of today's digital age.23 0Item Restricted The Role of Modern Technology in Monitoring and Reducing Electronic Crime in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-08-30) Alamri, Hind Rashid; Buckley, StevenEmerging smart technologies offer immense scope for diverse innovative applications in all spheres of life, but their increased development and deployment has been accompanied by a commensurate increase in various kind of risks, including electronic crimes. Studies are needed to explore protective and preventive measures to mitigate such risks, including in emerging economies and technology contexts like Saudi Arabia.53 0