University of Isfahan Strategic Research on Social Problems 3041-8623 15 2 2026 06 22 The Role of Online Interactions and Offline Social Environment in Shaping Cyber and Traditional Delinquency among University Students The Role of Online Interactions and Offline Social Environment in Shaping Cyber and Traditional Delinquency among University Students 19 46 30036 10.22108/srspi.2025.144802.2101 FA Elham Shafaiimoghadam Assistant professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Law, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran Zahra Yazdani- Arani Master's student in Cultural Studies, Faculty of Electronic Education, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 07 <strong>Introduction</strong><br />The rise of online social networks has transformed interpersonal communication, creating hybrid social spaces where identity development, peer influence, and behavioral learning occur simultaneously. While these environments promote self-expression and social engagement, they also expose individuals—particularly young adults—to deviant norms and opportunities for cyber-offending. This study explored how both online and offline peer interactions collectively affect the likelihood of engaging in traditional and cyber-delinquent behaviors among university students. Drawing on 3 key criminological perspectives—social influence, social selection, and situational theories—the research investigated how proximity to motivated offenders, peer relationships, and individual self-control interact to predict delinquent behavior. In the Iranian context, where digitalization has rapidly transformed youth culture, understanding these dual social domains is essential for formulating effective crime prevention strategies.<br /> <br /><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Materials & Methods</strong><br />This study utilized a quantitative survey design involving 300 students from the University of Kashan, who were selected through simple random sampling from a population of 7,305 students in 2024. Data were gathered using a standardized questionnaire adapted from Reyns (2010), which measured 2 dependent variables: traditional delinquency and cyber-delinquency. Additionally, 4 independent variables were assessed: proximity to motivated offenders, offline peer interaction, online peer interaction, and self-control.<br />All items were rated on 5-point Likert scales and subsequently re-coded into a range of 0 to 4 for standardization purposes. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients surpassed 0.80 for most scales, indicating strong internal reliability; the self-control scale (α=0.64) was deemed acceptable for exploratory analysis. Construct validity was established through theoretical consistency and reference to previously validated instruments. Data analysis was conducted by using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS 24, which facilitated the estimation of both direct and indirect effects among the variables. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlations and standardized path coefficients, were also employed.<br /> <br /><strong>Discussion of Results & Conclusion</strong><br />Model fit indices indicated an excellent overall fit (CFI=0.998, RMSEA=0.000, GFI=0.996), confirming the adequacy of the hypothesized structural model. The results revealed a strong positive correlation between traditional delinquency and cyber-delinquency (r=0.76), suggesting behavioral continuity across different contexts.<br />Offline peer interaction demonstrated the most significant direct influence on both traditional (β=0.51, p<0.001) and cyber-delinquency (β=0.50, p<0.001), supporting the situational perspective that unstructured, unsupervised interactions increased opportunities for deviant behavior. Proximity to motivated offenders also exhibited significant positive effects with a stronger impact on traditional delinquency (β=0.26) compared to cyber-delinquency (β=0.13). This highlighted the enduring influence of immediate social environments in physical settings.<br />While online peer interaction showed a weaker but still positive relationship with delinquency, it indicated that digital exposure could transmit deviant norms, albeit mediated by offline social ties. Conversely, self-control displayed a non-significant association with traditional offenses but had a significant negative correlation with cyber-delinquency (β=-0.14, p<0.001). This suggested that impulse regulation was particularly crucial in virtual contexts, which often had limited external oversight.<br />Collectively, the independent variables accounted for 41% of the variance in both types of delinquency. These findings lent partial support to all three theoretical perspectives: social influence elucidated the peer transmission of deviant norms; social selection highlighted how low self-control drove associations with delinquent peers; and the situational perspective underscored how unsupervised peer contexts facilitated offending.<br />From a practical standpoint, the results underscored the need for integrated prevention programs that addressed both online and offline peer dynamics. Enhancing digital literacy, improving institutional supervision, and fostering self-regulation skills could effectively reduce delinquent behavior in both environments. Overall, despite the digital shift, traditional socialization mechanisms continued to play a dominant role in the formation of deviant conduct among students.<br />Future studies should consider employing longitudinal or mixed-method designs to capture the temporal and reciprocal nature of online and offline peer influences on delinquency. <strong>Introduction</strong><br />The rise of online social networks has transformed interpersonal communication, creating hybrid social spaces where identity development, peer influence, and behavioral learning occur simultaneously. While these environments promote self-expression and social engagement, they also expose individuals—particularly young adults—to deviant norms and opportunities for cyber-offending. This study explored how both online and offline peer interactions collectively affect the likelihood of engaging in traditional and cyber-delinquent behaviors among university students. Drawing on 3 key criminological perspectives—social influence, social selection, and situational theories—the research investigated how proximity to motivated offenders, peer relationships, and individual self-control interact to predict delinquent behavior. In the Iranian context, where digitalization has rapidly transformed youth culture, understanding these dual social domains is essential for formulating effective crime prevention strategies.<br /> <br /><strong> </strong><br /><strong>Materials & Methods</strong><br />This study utilized a quantitative survey design involving 300 students from the University of Kashan, who were selected through simple random sampling from a population of 7,305 students in 2024. Data were gathered using a standardized questionnaire adapted from Reyns (2010), which measured 2 dependent variables: traditional delinquency and cyber-delinquency. Additionally, 4 independent variables were assessed: proximity to motivated offenders, offline peer interaction, online peer interaction, and self-control.<br />All items were rated on 5-point Likert scales and subsequently re-coded into a range of 0 to 4 for standardization purposes. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients surpassed 0.80 for most scales, indicating strong internal reliability; the self-control scale (α=0.64) was deemed acceptable for exploratory analysis. Construct validity was established through theoretical consistency and reference to previously validated instruments. Data analysis was conducted by using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS 24, which facilitated the estimation of both direct and indirect effects among the variables. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlations and standardized path coefficients, were also employed.<br /> <br /><strong>Discussion of Results & Conclusion</strong><br />Model fit indices indicated an excellent overall fit (CFI=0.998, RMSEA=0.000, GFI=0.996), confirming the adequacy of the hypothesized structural model. The results revealed a strong positive correlation between traditional delinquency and cyber-delinquency (r=0.76), suggesting behavioral continuity across different contexts.<br />Offline peer interaction demonstrated the most significant direct influence on both traditional (β=0.51, p<0.001) and cyber-delinquency (β=0.50, p<0.001), supporting the situational perspective that unstructured, unsupervised interactions increased opportunities for deviant behavior. Proximity to motivated offenders also exhibited significant positive effects with a stronger impact on traditional delinquency (β=0.26) compared to cyber-delinquency (β=0.13). This highlighted the enduring influence of immediate social environments in physical settings.<br />While online peer interaction showed a weaker but still positive relationship with delinquency, it indicated that digital exposure could transmit deviant norms, albeit mediated by offline social ties. Conversely, self-control displayed a non-significant association with traditional offenses but had a significant negative correlation with cyber-delinquency (β=-0.14, p<0.001). This suggested that impulse regulation was particularly crucial in virtual contexts, which often had limited external oversight.<br />Collectively, the independent variables accounted for 41% of the variance in both types of delinquency. These findings lent partial support to all three theoretical perspectives: social influence elucidated the peer transmission of deviant norms; social selection highlighted how low self-control drove associations with delinquent peers; and the situational perspective underscored how unsupervised peer contexts facilitated offending.<br />From a practical standpoint, the results underscored the need for integrated prevention programs that addressed both online and offline peer dynamics. Enhancing digital literacy, improving institutional supervision, and fostering self-regulation skills could effectively reduce delinquent behavior in both environments. Overall, despite the digital shift, traditional socialization mechanisms continued to play a dominant role in the formation of deviant conduct among students.<br />Future studies should consider employing longitudinal or mixed-method designs to capture the temporal and reciprocal nature of online and offline peer influences on delinquency. https://ssoss.ui.ac.ir/article_30036_2155e14224d733d316b23b7865efbafd.pdf