A Path Analysis of Factors Affecting Social Control of Cybercultural Transgressions

Abstract

Social control of cyberspace is a necessity to restrict online transgressions (non-normative behaviors), and reduce their disruptive effects. The current study aimed at examining the factors affecting social control of cybercultural transgressions. A questionnaire was administered to Iranian social media users, and 989 participants have filled it out. A path analysis model was constructed testing the effects of Low Self-Control, Depression, Negative Interpersonal Relationships, Computer/ Internet Self-Efficacy, Netiquette, and Normative Beliefs on Transgressive Behaviors, and Transgressive Content Consumption. The results showed that Low Self-Control increased both criterion variables, and fully or partially mediated the effects of other variables on them, except for Negative Interpersonal Relationships. The important contribution of the current study was the recognition of the role of self-control as a mediator among examined variables. The findings of this study can be employed to devise new policies and initiatives to socially control the cybercultural transgressions, without applying coercion.