Dr. Gigi Lam, Dr. Bobo Lau, Dr. Tsang Chung Kin and the other two co-authors (Dr. Alex Kwok and Eric Shum) have published a journal article entitled "The use of IT-safety and coping measures against cybercrimes among older adults in Hong Kong: an application of cyber routine activity theory", in a Q1 ESCI journal, Frontiers in Sociology  (5-year Impact Factor: 2.2, Cite Score: 4.0). This is one of the deliverables of IDS(CRG) project on the use of ICT among older adults (project code: URG/IDS(C)15/H01/22).

Introduction: In Hong Kong, the rapid growth in smartphone ownership among adults aged 65 or above has coincided with an increase in cybercrime victimization within this population. 
 
Methods: Guided by Cyber Routine Activity Theory (CRAT), this qualitative study explores older adults' experiences of cybercrimes and their coping strategies. Twenty-three focus groups involving 142 adults aged 55 or older were conducted in Hong Kong between May and August 2023. Data was analyzed using deductive and inductive thematic analysis with NVivo 15.
 
Findings: Findings indicate that impersonation of close relatives, information leakage, and “guess who I am” scams are the most common cybercrimes faced by older adults. Participants relied on both physical and social forms of guardianship, including peer support from individuals with higher digital literacy and the use of social knowledge to reduce scam risks.
 
Discussion: The study extends CRAT by highlighting the role of socio-emotional commitments rooted in Confucian collectivist culture and by conceptualizing multi-layered and distributed social guardianship. 
 
Reference: 
Lam, G., Lau, B.H.P., Tsang, C.K., Kwok, A.P.K. & Shum, E.N.Y. (2026). The use of IT-safety and coping measures against
cybercrimes among older adults in Hong Kong: an application of cyber routine activity theory. Frontiers in Sociology, 11, 1739787. 
 
If you are interested in reading the full article, please visit the following link.