Low self-control, the Dark Triad, and Dark Web use: An exploratory study
摘要
The Dark Web represents a unique part of the Internet where anonymity is used for both good and nefarious acts. While existing research indicates Dark Web use is correlated with cybercrime victimization and offending, there is a lack of research into what traits and characteristics might lead to Dark Web use. Using survey data collected from a sample of 226 college students (66 unique Dark Web users and 160 non-users), results show that both low self-control and the Dark Triad are positively associated with Dark Web use. Additionally, this study paints a clearer picture of what a Dark Web user looks like with respect to demographics and computer skills. Limitations and recommendations for future research, including a unique validation technique for Dark Web users, are discussed.