Understanding factors associated with online piracy behaviour of adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating self-control theory in the context of online music piracy by adolescents in Hong Kong. In addition to self-control measures, social variables and strain variables were measured in this study with 634 secondary school students. The results did not strongly support the general theory of crime's claim that the impact of self-control is universal across gender and cultures. Individuals' self-control was correlated with boys' online piracy behaviour, but not that of girls. A stronger influence of social factors (differential association) compared with self-control on online piracy behaviour was also observed. This research contributes to knowledge of the interplay of gender and culture in shaping the applicability of self-control theory in understanding delinquent behaviour.