The Sociological Study of Cyberstalking Victimization among University Students

Currently, Cyberstalking victimization is a problem all over the world which has been increasing in Iran as well. The present study, based on Routine Activities Theory, examines the causes of the Cyberstalking victimization among Mazandaran University students. The research method of the current study is survey using a questionnaire as a data collection tool. A total of 374 students of Mazandaran University in the academic year of 1963-97 were selected through stratified sampling method. The findings indicate that there is a significant difference between girls and boys in rates of Cyberstalking victimization. Boys are more likely to be victims of Cyberstalking victimization than girls, while girls are more likely to be victims of financial and sexual Cyberstalking victimization. The results of the regression analysis showed that the variables of this study were able to explain 26 percent of the Cyberstalking Victimization changes among students. Of all the variables entered in the regression, three variables of “online offender’s lifestyle” and “direct online protection” and “online proximity to offenders” have a significant effect on Cyberstalking victimization.