The Causes of Online Delinquencies among Chinese Adolescents: the Perspectives from Self-control Theory and Differential Association Theory

The present research examines the relationships between low self-control, deviant peer association, and online delinquency among Chinese students from the perspectives of self-control and differential association theories. The results suggest that low self-control has significant and positive effects on online delinquency, while deviant peer association partially mediates the effect of low self-control on online delinquency. Moreover, the results of Johnson-Neyman analysis suggest internet attachment significantly moderates the effect of low self-control on deviant peer association, with a higher level of internet attachment leading to a greater effect of low self-control on deviant peer association. Future studies are recommended to assess more moderators for the association between self-control, deviant peers, and online delinquency.