CYBERCRIME AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN ALBANIA: SOCIAL LEARNING, DIGITAL COMMUNITIES AND CRIMINAL OPPORTUNITY

Abstract

This article aims to develop an Albania-specific framework for understanding how young people may become involved in cyber-offending. It brings together social learning theory and criminal opportunity perspectives to explain how digital communities, peer influence, technical learning and online opportunities can shape pathways toward unlawful conduct. The article examines Albanian criminal law, cybersecurity policy and relevant international research through a structured narrative review and doctrinal-policy analysis. It seeks to distinguish ordinary digital participation and technical competence from criminal behaviour, while identifying the conditions under which skills and online interactions may be directed toward cyber-offending. The analysis also aims to clarify the limits of the available Albanian evidence and to establish a foundation for future national research. On this basis, the article proposes an integrated explanatory model and outlines preventive responses centred on cyber ethics, legitimate technical development, early intervention, proportionate diversion and improved data collection. Its central argument is that technical competence should be treated as a social asset whose direction depends on learning environments, available opportunities and forms of recognition.