Social networks and institutions in the face of cybercrime: analysis of the perception of digital trust.

Abstract

This study examines the perception of digital trust among university students toward social networks and the institutions responsible for preventing cybercrime. A validated scale was used with 378 students from a private university in Monterrey, Nuevo León. The results show higher trust in close actors such as family members and IT experts, and lower trust in institutional actors like police and judges. Significant gender differences were found, with male students reporting higher levels of digital trust. The findings offer useful evidence to support prevention strategies, digital literacy, and institutional legitimacy in addressing cyber risks that affect highly connected youth populations.