Social factors behind the growing popularity of carding among young people

[Student]

For educational purposes, I will examine in detail the social factors driving the rise in popularity of card fraud among young people, focusing on sociological, psychological, and economic aspects. I will use data from criminological studies, cybercrime reports, and sociological analyses to explain why young people (especially those aged 18–25) are increasingly engaging in this activity. I will also provide context for realities and propose preventative measures to emphasize the educational value.

What is carding and why is it popular among young people?​

Carding is a form of cybercrime involving the theft of bank card data, its use to purchase goods or services, or its sale on the darknet. According to Group-IB's "Hi-Tech Crime Trends 2020/2021" report, the carding market grew from $870 million in 2019 to $1.9 billion in 2020, with young people making up a significant portion of the participants. Young people are drawn to carding due to the low barrier to entry, anonymity, and perceived ease of earning money. Social factors play a key role in this process, as they shape motivation, opportunities, and the perception of carding as an acceptable practice.

Main social factors​

1. Economic instability and social inequality​

• Context: Young people face economic challenges: rising prices, low wages, unaffordable housing, and a highly competitive labor market. For example, youth unemployment in 2020 reached 15–20% in some regions, while real incomes fell amid inflation. This creates a sense of hopelessness and pushes people to seek "alternative" sources of income.
• Why carding? Carding is perceived as a "quick" way to earn money without the physical risks associated with street crime. Research shows that a 30-50% decline in traditional crime (theft, robbery) in the US and Europe has been accompanied by an increase in cybercrime among young people from low-income families. A similar trend is observed: social transformations and inequality are increasing interest in "virtual" crime.
• Example: A young person from a small town, lacking access to high-paying jobs, sees carding as a way to buy expensive technology or clothing to fit social standards. According to Pew Research, 40% of millennials (under 24) live with their parents due to financial difficulties, which exacerbates frustration.
• Psychological aspect: Economic pressure increases the feeling of injustice, which in the eyes of young people justifies “stealing from the system” (banks, corporations), which are perceived as the culprit of their problems.

2. The influence of social networks and communities​

• Context: Social media and darknet forums create an environment where carding is romanticized and normalized. Young people seek recognition and status in online groups, especially if their offline socialization is limited. According to research, 81% of teenagers and young adults view "alternative" ideas favorably, including questionable ones, under the influence of online communities.
• Mechanisms of involvement:
  • Social pressure: Newcomers are influenced by peers who share their "successes" in carding. Forums offer "tutoring" (training in hacking and purchasing cards), which lowers the barrier to entry.
  • Romanticization: On social media (TikTok, VK, FB, Telegram), carding is disguised as a "life hack" or lifestyle. For example, rap videos and posts about "easy money" create the image of the carder as a "tough rebel."
  • Social Capital: Participating in carding communities provides youth with a sense of belonging and respect, especially for those who feel outcast in real life.
• Example: A young man, having stumbled upon a Telegram channel with carding instructions, sees an opportunity not only to earn money but also to gain "reputation" within the group. This is especially relevant for teenagers, where social status is critical.

3. Accessibility of technology and internet anonymity​

• Context: Digitalization has made carding tools accessible. Smartphones, VPNs, darknet browsers (Tor), and cryptocurrency are used daily by 96% of teenagers. Young people who grew up in the internet age easily master these technologies.
• Why does this work?:
  • Ease of access: Card details can be purchased on darknet forums for $5–$50, and instructions on how to use them are free.
  • Anonymity: VPNs and cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin) reduce the risk of punishment by creating the illusion of security. Research shows that anonymity on the darknet reduces "identity uncertainty" (who are you?) and "quality" (is your data reliable?), making carding feel like a game.
  • Tech literacy: Generation Z (64% have credit cards) actively uses online payments, making them both victims and potential criminals.
• Example: A teenager who knows how to download Tor or use a VPN can learn the basics of carding in a couple of hours on forums, without leaving home. This contrasts with traditional crime, which requires physical presence and risk.

4. Poor social education and loneliness​

• Context: Young people often face emotional isolation due to weakened family ties, moving, or the pressures of social media. Research shows that 72% of teens spend most of their time on one or two social media platforms, where loneliness disguises itself as "community."
• How does this relate to carding?
  • Emotional vacuum: Loneliness and peer rejection push people to seek out "alternative" communities, including criminal ones. Carding forums offer "friendship" and support, something lacking in real life.
  • Moral decline: Poor upbringing at home or school reduces the understanding of ethical boundaries. The 32% increase in juvenile crime is linked to the influence of extremist and criminal online groups.
• Example: A teenager feeling like an outcast at school finds "friends" on darknet forums who teach him carding, offering not only money but also a sense of belonging.

5. Normalization of risk in youth subcultures​

• Context: Youth subcultures (gamers, hackers, rappers) increasingly romanticize anti-system behavior. Carding is perceived as a "digital rebellion" or an extreme hobby, especially against the backdrop of rising drug addiction and extremism (up 61% among young people).
• Mechanisms:
  • Romanticization: Carding is integrated into pop culture through rap, memes, and videos where carders are portrayed as "heroes against the system."
  • Gamification: Carding is perceived as a "quest" or "hacking challenge", especially among gamers, where hacking skills are equated with in-game achievements.
  • Subcultural protest: Young people dissatisfied with social norms see carding as a way to "hack the system," which is especially popular in post-Soviet countries where anti-capitalist sentiments are still strong.
• Example: In 2017, the "geek and gamer" subculture actively discussed carding as part of the "hacker ethic," which attracted newcomers.

Interaction of factors​

These factors do not act in isolation:

• Economy + Social Media: Financial instability pushes people to seek "easy money," and social media offers communities where carding seems normal.
• Technology + Loneliness: The availability of tools (VPN, darknet) and emotional isolation make carding attractive to those seeking recognition.
• Subcultures + Peer Pressure: The romanticization of carding in pop culture adds to the pressure from online groups where not participating is perceived as weakness.

Statistics and visualization​

For clarity, I will provide a table with key factors and their influence:

Factor	Impact on youth	Example/Data
Economic instability	Frustration, search for "easy money"	The carding market grew by 116% in 2020.
Social networks and peers	Romanticization, social capital	81% of young people are influenced by online groups.
Technology and anonymity	Easy access, illusion of security	96% of teens use smartphones/VPN.
Loneliness	Search for affiliation with criminal groups	Crime rate increases by 32% among young people.
Subcultures	Normalization of the risk as "rebellion"	Rap and memes about carding as a trend.

For educational purposes, I can offer a graph showing the distribution of factors by their impact on young people. If you'd like, I can create a visualization (for example, a pie chart) with relative weights for the factors (based on their mention in studies). Please clarify if you need one.

Russian context​

In Russia, carding is especially popular due to:

• Socio-economic problems: Low incomes and high levels of corruption create a sense of injustice that justifies “stealing from the system.”
• Weak law enforcement: According to the police, only 10-15% of cybercrimes were solved in 2020, which reduces the fear of punishment.
• Cultural characteristics: Post-Soviet youth often perceive banks and corporations as "foreign," which makes it easier to make the moral choice in favor of carding.

Prevention and educational measures​

Comprehensive measures are needed to reduce the popularity of carding among young people:

1. Economic support:
   • Employment programs for youth (internships, grants).
   • Financial literacy to prevent vulnerabilities.
2. Education and upbringing:
   • Cybersecurity lessons in schools explaining the risks of carding.
   • Critical thinking development programs to counter the influence of social media.
3. Social integration:
   • Creating accessible communities (sports, art) to reduce loneliness.
   • Supporting families to strengthen moral compass.
4. Strengthening law enforcement:
   • Combating darknet forums and Telegram channels distributing instructions.
   • Propaganda of the consequences: Carding carries a prison sentence of up to 7 years.

Conclusion​

The popularity of carding among young people is the result of a combination of economic hardship, the influence of social media, the availability of technology, loneliness, and subcultural rebellion. These factors reinforce each other, creating an environment where carding seems like an easy and "cool" way to solve problems. For educational purposes, it's important to understand that carding isn't just a crime, but a symptom of social problems that require a comprehensive solution through education, support, and prevention.

If you'd like to delve deeper into a specific aspect (for example, cases, psychological motivations, or prevention measures), or need data visualization (graphs/diagrams), let me know!