The Rise of Cybercrime: Analyzing the Impact of Digital

Technology on Criminal Behavior of BS Criminology at the

University of Caloocan City (South Campus).

CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

This chapter present the introduction, background of the

study, objectives, statement of the problem, hypothesis,
significance of the study, and scope and delimitation.

Introduction
The rise of digital technology has significantly transformed
every facet of human life, from communication to
commerce, education, and even criminal activities. The
widespread use of the internet and connected devices has
opened new avenues for criminal behavior, giving birth to
what we now call cybercrime. Cybercrime refers to illegal
activities that involve the use of computers, networks, or
the internet to commit crimes such as fraud, identity theft,
cyberbullying, hacking, and intellectual property theft. As
digital technologies continue to evolve, so too do the
methods used by criminals to exploit these advancements
for illegal purposes.
The impact of cybercrime on society is vast and often
underappreciated. Unlike traditional forms of crime,
cybercrime often takes place in the virtual realm, making it
difficult to trace and even more challenging to prevent.
The anonymity provided by digital platforms, coupled with
the
speed and reach of the internet, has empowered criminals
to engage in large-scale operations that can have
devastating effects on individuals, businesses,
governments, and entire nations. The anonymity, along
with the ability to operate across borders, presents
significant challenges for law enforcement agencies,
whose existing frameworks were not designed with the
complexities of cybercrime in mind.
In the Philippines, cybercrime has become a growing
concern. As internet penetration increases, the number of
cybercrime-related incidents continues to rise. According
to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), a large
number of cybercrime complaints in the country revolve
around online fraud, identity theft, and cyberbullying. The
rise of social media platforms and e-commerce has only
heightened these risks, with many individuals becoming
targets of scams and malicious activities without even
realizing it. With the increasing reliance on digital
platforms for everyday transactions, both personal and
business-related, it is clear that the digital age has
introduced a new frontier of criminal activity.
This research aims to delve into the impact of digital
technology on criminal behavior, particularly from the
perspective of students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in
Criminology at the University of Caloocan City (South
Campus). By focusing on the relationship between
technology and crime, the study will shed light on how
aspiring criminologists view the influence of technology on
criminal activities. Furthermore, the study will analyze how
digital technology impacts crime prevention, detection,
and prosecution, as well as the role of criminology
students in
understanding and responding to these emerging threats.
The development of new technologies like artificial
intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain has further
complicated the issue of cybercrime. While these
technologies have immense potential for good, they are
also being exploited by criminals who find new ways to
use them for illicit purposes. As such, it becomes
imperative for criminology students to understand these
developments and the implications they have on criminal
behavior. This research will explore how digital literacy
and the incorporation of digital technology into criminology
education can help future professionals better address the
challenges of cybercrime.
In conclusion, the study will focus on understanding the
significant role that digital technology plays in shaping
criminal behavior in the modern world. Through the lens of
BS Criminology students at the University of Caloocan
City, this research will offer insights into the emerging
nature of crime in the digital age and provide
recommendations on how educational programs can be
adapted to equip students with the skills needed to
combat this evolving threat. As the world continues to
digitize, it is crucial to ensure that the next generation of
criminologists is prepared to deal with the unique
challenges posed by cybercrime.
Background of the Study
Digital technology has become deeply integrated into
society, transforming not only everyday life but also the
nature of criminal activity. As the internet continues to
evolve, it has facilitated the rise of a new class of criminals
—those who exploit technology to commit crimes that are
often more complex, anonymous, and widespread than
traditional criminal activities. These crimes, ranging from
identity theft to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, are
becoming increasingly prevalent and pose significant
challenges to law enforcement agencies worldwide.
The Philippines, with its rapid digital growth, is no stranger
to the rise of cybercrime. According to the Philippine
National Police (PNP), cybercrime has seen a sharp
increase over the past decade, with cases of hacking,
online fraud, and pornography becoming more common.
The Philippines is also considered one of the top countries
in the world for social media usage, which has,
unfortunately, made its citizens vulnerable to a variety of
cybercrimes. The digital landscape in the country has
created new opportunities for criminals, leading to a surge
in cybercrime incidents.
In response to this growing threat, the Philippine
government has enacted laws such as the Cybercrime
Prevention Act of 2012 to address the increasing
prevalence of online crimes. The law defines various
cybercrimes, such as hacking, online libel, identity theft,
and illegal access to data, and provides the legal
framework for punishing these offenses. However, despite
these legislative measures, the ever-evolving nature of
technology makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies
to keep up with the latest cybercriminal tactics. The lack of
specialized training for law enforcement and a shortage of
resources to tackle cybercrime further complicate the
problem.
At the University of Caloocan City (South Campus),
criminology students are being trained to tackle traditional
forms of crime, such as theft, assault, and murder.
However,
the increasing prevalence of cybercrime requires a shift in
how criminology is taught. Students need to be equipped
with the knowledge and skills to understand the digital
landscape and recognize the various types of cybercrimes
that are now a part of the criminal justice system.
Incorporating digital forensics, cybersecurity, and the legal
aspects of cybercrime into criminology programs is
essential to ensuring that future professionals are
prepared to combat these threats effectively.
The study will focus on how the curriculum at the
University of Caloocan City (South Campus) addresses
the growing issue of cybercrime and whether criminology
students are being adequately prepared for this new
frontier of criminal justice. Understanding the role of
technology in criminal behavior and how future
criminologists view its impact will provide valuable insights
into how academic programs can be improved to better
equip students for the realities of modern crime.
Additionally, it is essential to consider the psychological
and sociological factors that contribute to cybercriminal
behavior. Digital technology allows for greater anonymity,
which can embolden individuals to engage in criminal
activities that they might not attempt in a physical setting.
This psychological aspect of cybercrime, along with the
lack of direct consequences in the virtual world, often
leads to a higher incidence of cybercrime. This research
will explore how criminology students understand these
factors and how this understanding could inform more
effective crime prevention strategies.
Objective of the Study
The primary objective of this study is to examine how
digital technology has influenced criminal behavior and
how criminology students at the University of Caloocan
City (South Campus) perceive this shift. By understanding
the changing landscape of crime, the research aims to
identify the skills and knowledge needed by criminology
students to effectively respond to the rise of cybercrime.
Specifically, the study seeks to:
• Assess the understanding of criminology students
regarding the types and nature of cybercrimes. This
objective focuses on exploring how well students
recognize and comprehend the various cybercrimes that
are prevalent today, such as hacking, phishing, identity
theft, and online scams. The goal is to gauge their
awareness of these issues and how they relate to the
broader field of criminology.
• Examine the role of digital technology in shaping
modern criminal behavior. This objective aims to
explore how students perceive the impact of technology
on crime, particularly the ways in which digital
advancements have facilitated the rise of new types of
crimes. Understanding this relationship is critical for future
criminologists to develop strategies for combating these
crimes effectively.
• Analyze how the current criminology curriculum at
the University of Caloocan City (South Campus)
addresses cybercrime. The objective here is to evaluate
whether the criminology program adequately prepares
students for the challenges posed by cybercrime. This
includes reviewing the courses offered, the integration of
digital
technologies into the curriculum, and the emphasis on
digital forensics, cybersecurity, and related topics.
• Identify the skills and competencies that
criminology students believe are essential for tackling
cybercrime. This objective seeks to gather insights from
students regarding the knowledge and abilities they feel
are crucial for preventing, detecting, and investigating
cybercrime. Understanding these competencies will help
guide curriculum development and ensure that criminology
programs meet the demands of modern crime.
• Explore the students' perspectives on how
technology can be used to combat cybercrime. This
objective will examine how students envision leveraging
digital tools and innovations to fight against cybercriminal
activities. From digital forensics to artificial intelligence,
understanding how future criminologists view the role of
technology in crime prevention is critical to shaping the
future of law enforcement.
• Provide recommendations for enhancing
criminology education in the digital age. Based on the
findings, this objective aims to propose recommendations
for improving the criminology curriculum to better address
the challenges of cybercrime. This may include integrating
more technology-focused courses, providing hands-on
experience with digital forensics, and collaborating with
industry experts to stay ahead of emerging cyber threats.
Statement of the Problem
The primary problem this study seeks to address is the
increasing prevalence of cybercrime and the apparent lack
of preparedness among criminology students at the
University of Caloocan City (South Campus) in dealing
with this issue. As digital technology evolves, so do the
methods employed by cybercriminals, creating a need for
criminology programs to adapt and provide students with
the knowledge and skills to address cybercrime. The
research aims to answer the following specific problems:
• What is the level of awareness and understanding
of cybercrime among criminology students at the
University of Caloocan City (South Campus)? This
problem focuses on determining how well students are
informed about the various forms of cybercrime and their
understanding of the relationship between technology and
criminal behavior.
• To what extent is cybercrime addressed in the
criminology curriculum at the University of Caloocan
City (South Campus)? This problem investigates
whether the current curriculum adequately covers the
growing threat of cybercrime and prepares students for
the challenges they will face in the field.
• What are the key competencies that criminology
students believe are necessary to combat cybercrime
effectively? This problem seeks to understand what skills
and knowledge criminology students believe are most
important in addressing cybercrime, including both
technical and legal aspects.
• How do criminology students view the role of
digital technology in both facilitating and preventing
cybercrime? This problem examines students'
perspectives on how technology is both a tool for criminals
and a resource for law enforcement in the fight against
cybercrime.
• What challenges do criminology students face in
understanding and dealing with cybercrime, and how
can these challenges be addressed in their
education? This problem aims to identify any gaps in
students' understanding of cybercrime and propose
solutions to help bridge these gaps through curriculum
changes, training, or additional resources.
• How can the criminology curriculum at the
University of Caloocan City (South Campus) be
improved to better prepare students for the emerging
threat of cybercrime? This problem addresses the need
for continuous curriculum development to ensure that
criminology students are adequately trained to confront
the challenges posed by cybercrime in the digital age.