Rational choice and situational convergence: an examination of adolescent cyber victimization from an integrated theoretical perspective

This paper examines the issue of adolescent cyber victimization through the complementary lenses of routine activity theory (RAT) and rational choice theory (RCT), which together form an integrated framework. RAT posits that the occurrence of crime requires the convergence in time and space of three elements: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian. RCT supplements this by emphasizing that offenders are rational actors who select targets and opportunities based on a cost, benefit calculation. In the cyber environment, adolescents, due to the online lifestyle shaped by characteristics of their developmental stage, often become suitable targets perceived by offenders as offering high reward and low risk, while guardianship in their online activity environments is frequently lacking. Based on this dual theoretical framework, this paper systematically analyzes the formation mechanisms of adolescent cyber victimization and proposes a multi-dimensional prevention system. This system encompasses three dimensions: raising the cost and threshold of offending, enhancing multi-party guardianship, and disrupting situational convergence. It aims to effectively mitigate the risks of adolescent cyber victimization and safeguard their information security, as well as personal and property safety.