Juvenile Offender In The Digital Age: The Role Of Social Media
- IJLLR Journal
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
Sunil Kumar Gaur, Research Scholar, Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow, Lucknow
"Social media does not create crime, but it can certainly amplify the impulse to commit one."
ABSTRACT
In the 21st century, the digital revolution has transformed every aspect of human life, including the behavior, mindset, and social interactions of adolescents. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, and TikTok have become integral to the lives of young people. While these platforms offer opportunities for learning, expression, and connection, they also pose serious challenges—especially in the context of juvenile delinquency. This paper seeks to critically examine the evolving phenomenon of juvenile offenders in the digital age and the multifaceted role that social media plays in influencing juvenile behavior.
The increasing exposure of minors to harmful, violent, or inappropriate content on social media is one of the key contributing factors to behavioral deviance. Peer pressure in online environments, the quest for validation through likes and shares, and the influence of digital "influencers" often encourage risky, aggressive, or illegal behavior among teenagers. Moreover, the anonymity and lack of real-time accountability in the digital space embolden some juveniles to engage in cyberbullying, hacking, identity theft, sexting, and even organized online fraud. In some reported cases, juveniles have used encrypted platforms to plan real-world offenses such as gang activities or vandalism.
Social media also contributes to the normalization of crime through the glamorization of violence, drugs, and anti-social behavior. Viral challenges, provocative content, and aggressive digital trends may push impressionable teens toward delinquency. In India, several cases in recent years have highlighted juveniles being involved in cybercrimes or engaging in harmful behavior under the influence of online trends.
This paper analyzes data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and other recent studies to demonstrate a significant rise in cyber-related offenses committed by juveniles in India post-2020. The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant digital dependency have further widened the exposure of minors to potentially harmful online environments, often in the absence of proper supervision or digital literacy.
