The Impact of the Internet on Deviant Behavior and Deviant Communities

Online deviant behavior refers to a range of activities, some considered illegal, some considered amoral, many considered both. The Internet has transformed the accessibility of information and enabled individuals with common beliefs to find each other and reinforce behaviors considered unacceptable. Pathological individuals, once limited by time, space, and societal constraints, use virtual communities to communicate and organize. Less clear is the extent to which the Internet has increased or modified the prevalence of certain deviant behaviors. This literature review summarizes current research on three commonly researched types of Internet deviance (i.e., sexual deviance, self-harm groups, and hate groups) with the goal of highlighting common findings that will enhance our understanding of the role(s) that the Internet plays in supporting or encouraging deviant behaviors. Theories and methods used to study these behaviors are briefly reviewed and policy implications are considered.