The Role of Self-Control in Offline and Online Juvenile Delinquency: Insights From Czech Adolescents in the ISRD-4 Study

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between self-control and juvenile delinquency, with a focus on differences between traditional (offline) and cyber (online) offenses. Utilizing data from the fourth wave of the International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD-4), the sample consisted of 2,115 Czech adolescents surveyed in spring 2023 across Prague and Pilsen. The sample included students from 8th and 9th grades of elementary schools, equivalent grades of multiyear grammar schools, and the first 2 years of high schools. Logistic regression analysis revealed that both self-control and gender significantly influence the chance of engaging in delinquent behaviors, with boys demonstrating a higher propensity for both traditional and cyber delinquency, particularly in the online contexts. Notably, self-control was found to play a stronger role in traditional offenses compared to cyber delinquency, suggesting it is not the primary predictor of delinquent behavior in the digital realm. Such insights are critical for developing differentiated and targeted interventions to address the distinct characteristics of offline and online delinquent behaviors.