THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR IN REDUCING CYBERCRIME IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: COMMUNITY AWARENESS AS A MEDIATING VARIABLE

This quantitative study discusses the role of social media in the UAE Ministry of Interior in reducing cybercrimes, through the mediating variable; achieving community awareness in the United Arab Emirates. The study problem emerged; that the advantages of the Internet, computers and means of communication provided the ground for the occurrence of cybercrimes; against economic, social, cultural and security objectives. And enabled criminals to hide without leaving a trace, so their detection faces challenges. The study aimed to: measure the impact of social media on community awareness, and on reducing cybercrimes. And the impact of community awareness on reducing cybercrimes. The researcher adopted the descriptive analytical approach. The size of the community was (17291) of workers in the security and media sectors of the Ministry of Interior; A stratified random sample of (376) individuals was selected according to the Stephen Thompson equation, and the Gresty and Morgan table. By making use of the literature, the researcher developed a questionnaire of (49) statements distributed over (4) axes. Statistical methods: Using (SPSS), descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, Cronbach's alpha, Spearman-Brown equation, single linear regression analysis. The results showed: There is a statistically significant effect of using social media on community awareness. The more the variable of using social media increases by (1), the more it increases community awareness by (0.579). There is a statistically significant effect of using social media on reducing cybercrimes. The more the use of social media increases by (1), it reduces crimes by (0.559). There is a significant effect of community awareness on cybercrimes. It explains about 37% of crimes, increasing community awareness by (1) one; reduces crimes by (0.569).