Abstract

The study “Pirating Youth: Examining the Correlates of Digital Music Piracy among Adolescents” by Whitney D. Gunter, George E. Higgins, and Roberta E. Gealt addresses a critical gap in research by focusing on adolescent involvement in digital music piracy, an area previously dominated by studies on college students. Digital music piracy, involving the unauthorized copying and distribution of music, results in significant financial losses for the music industry and legal consequences for offenders. The study employs Gottfredson and Hirschi’s self-control theory, which posits that individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in deviant behaviors. Using a random sample of 8th and 11th-grade students in Delaware, the findings reveal that demographics (sex, race, and socioeconomic status), educational achievement, and self-control are significant predictors of music piracy among adolescents. This study expands existing literature by examining actual piracy behavior rather than just attitudes and broadens the age range of participants to include middle school students. Despite its contributions, the study identifies several research gaps, including the need for longitudinal studies to track behavioral changes over time, cross-cultural comparisons to understand global patterns, and research on the influence of technological advancements on piracy behavior. Moreover, the study calls for the development of effective intervention strategies tailored to the specific factors driving adolescent piracy, such as low self-control and demographic characteristics. Future research should focus on cross-cultural studies, longitudinal designs, and technological innovations to provide deeper insights into the evolving nature of music piracy. Collaboration with educators, policymakers, and industry representatives is essential to create effective prevention programs. The study’s findings underscore the importance of understanding and addressing music piracy among adolescents to prevent the normalization of criminal behavior and support the protection of intellectual property rights in the digital era.

Keywords