DefinePK

Abstract

The rise of digital technology has fundamentally transformed the social and behavioral landscape of youth in Lahore, Pakistan. While online gaming, social media, and content creation platforms offer new opportunities for connection and expression, they also present new threats of delinquency. This article critically examines recent, real-world juvenile delinquency cases in Lahore directly linked to technological innovation, including incidents of murder related to PUBG gaming, cyberbullying and blackmail through social media, and TikTok-related accidents. Using criminological theories and qualitative case analysis, this study reveals how unsupervised digital engagement, lack of digital literacy, and family or institutional gaps contribute to deviant outcomes. The article concludes with targeted policy recommendations to enhance digital safety and prevent technology-induced juvenile crime in urban Pakistan.