Internet and „Cyber-Crime“
as a
challenge
for Criminology and
international Criminal Policy
In
recent years we have experienced a „digital revolution“ through
technological development in almost all societies. The „Internet“
through its dynamic penetration world-wide has played a significant and
decisive role in this transformation. An entirely new system of
communication, and with this a new society (Cyber-Society), have developed
from the Internet overcoming previously existing boundaries and expanding
possibilities in the most positive sense.
On
the other hand, however, new risks are understandably emerging from this
development which need to be viewed seriously, also at an inter and
supranational level, and which need to be addressed in a most distinctive
and rational manner. From one viewpoint, it is necessary to expose and
clarify new dangers threatening security. At the same time, however, one
needs to point out both the potential and already familiar dangers of
over-emphasised and irrational security debates which can have negative
effects on the development of basic human rights and the right of freedom as
well as on the perception of insecurity among people. Uniquely, criminology
as an objective scientific discipline is also facing a great challenge.
Just
as criminology has traditionally engaged in describing, questioning and
explaining crime and delinquency and the societal reaction, new social
problems and deviant behaviour emerging from the Internet must also be
approached with great effort.
The
Site contains initial thoughts, theoretical ideas as well as methodical
initiatives and to some extent, first results of own research, all of which
shall contribute to a strengthening of future criminological research in the
field of the Internet.
A
further aspect is that the Internet is not only of great interest for
criminological research as a new information source but must also be seen as
a broad and useful platform for providing new methodical tools (for example
'Online-Surveys').
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