Srinagar, Jul 6: Students are more likely to report losing Rs 500 in an online fraud than report being victims of cyberbullying, with fear of social judgment emerging as the biggest barrier to reporting cybercrime, a study has found.
The study, conducted by students of the Department of Public Administration, Amar Singh College, Srinagar, under the guidance of Zubair Nazeer Malik, surveyed students from Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar, and Government Model Higher Secondary School, Pahalgam, to examine attitudes towards reporting cybercrime.
The research team comprised Umer Tariq, Iqra Rashid, Kawsar Jan, Zenab, Toiba Jan, Amaine, Dua Farooq, Arbin Fayaz, and Mehvish Javaid.
Fear of judgment
The survey found that 88 percent of respondents do not report cyber incidents because they fear being judged by family or friends.
Researchers identified stigma as the biggest reason behind underreporting.
“If we tell our family, they will only blame us for using the internet wrongly,” one respondent said.
“Victims expect blame instead of support, making silence the preferred response,” the report said.
Cyberbullying left unreported
Students drew a clear line between financial fraud and online abuse.
The study found that frauds involving as little as Rs 500-Rs 1000 were considered worth reporting.
Cyberbullying, however, is often ignored until it turns into blackmail, extortion or prolonged harassment.
“The reporting threshold for financial fraud is significantly lower than for cyberbullying. Social shame is a much heavier barrier than physical financial loss,” the researchers concluded.
Privacy barrier
The study found that 72 percent of respondents hesitate to report because complaints require sharing chats, screenshots, photographs, and account details.
“It feels safer to stay silent than risk my personal chats being seen by others,” another respondent said.
“The reporting process itself creates a privacy anxiety barrier,” the report said.
Little faith in enforcement
The survey found that 36 percent of respondents have low confidence in police and cybercrime cells.
Many believed reporting would not lead to meaningful action.
“Low trust creates a hopelessness loop where fewer complaints reduce institutional response and reinforce public scepticism,” the study says.
Victims blame themselves
Researchers found that many victims delete chats or block offenders instead of filing complaints.
“Self-blame leads victims to minimise incidents and erase evidence, increasing the risk of repeat victimisation,” the report said.
Awareness gap
The study found better cyber awareness among students of Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar.
Respondents from remote Government Model Higher Secondary School, Pahalgam, reported limited knowledge of official reporting channels.
Recommendations
The researchers recommend anonymous reporting systems in colleges, simpler complaint procedures, and regular cyber awareness campaigns.
“Reducing fear, protecting privacy, and improving trust are essential to bridge the gap between cybercrime and official reporting,” the report said.
