Plagiarism and the Internet: How Technology Affects Students Cheating
Back in the day, cheating would involve looking at a seatmate’s paper or copying someone else’s homework. The most high-risk attempt would likely involve a student who would write the answers to a quiz on a small piece of paper or on the cover of a notebook.
But with the rise of technology and the advent of the Internet, academic cheating has become more prolific, with virtually hundreds of thousands of websites and apps selling cheat aids, offering custom papers, and even publishing how-to-cheat guides and videos.
According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, a shocking 35% of students have admitted to using their mobile phones to cheat on assignments and tests; while 65% of the same group of students also admitted to using their phones to cheat in school.
Why Students Cheat
Nowadays, academic cheating is often normalized among students. Many of them even fail to recognize that using homework apps and sharing answers with their seatmate already constitute academic dishonesty.
But while some are already aware that these are a form of cheating, the pressure to succeed in their academic goals often outweighs the risk of getting caught. For some, getting into their dream college or earning a scholarship for their grades can only be achieved by gaining a competitive edge – and that is to cheat.
Unfortunately, others just want to find the easiest, most convenient solution to their problem. For these students, it’s easier to cheat than to do research. And instead of studying for a quiz, the best shortcut would be to use a handy homework app.
Students with packed schedules are especially vulnerable to academic cheating. Those who are active in sports and other extracurricular activities, or who have part-time jobs, may think cheating is the only time-saving option they have left.
Sadly, many teachers lack the resources and know-how to detect plagiarism and cheating in class. And because technology tends to evolve faster than the policies imposed by academic institutions, tech-savvy students believe there’s a low risk of getting caught.
How Students Use Technology to Cheat
As a parent or teacher, it’s important to be aware of the various methods that could tempt students to commit academic dishonesty. Let’s take a look at some of the ways students use technology to cheat:
Tricks to Get Around Plagiarism Detection Solutions
Using special text and other techniques to deceive plagiarism detection solutions is a growing and concerning trend amongst the student population. Cheating, which is different from plagiarism and defined as techniques used to disguise text using methods like white ink, hidden characters, and character replacement—with the intention to deceive plagiarism detection solutions—has taken a sharp rise.
Copyleaks conducted research on 50,000+ students globally and found these trends moving upwards. As a technology company empowering administrators, educators, and students worldwide to uphold academic integrity standards, Copyleaks was concerned with students’ COVID-world ‘creativity’ being deployed in wrongful ways.
To combat this, Copyleaks developed and launched a free cheating detection add-on to the plagiarism detection platform that helps alert administrators and educators of such instances of cheating or fraudulent misuse.
Copy-Pasting
A classic method of academic dishonesty. Instead of doing research to find source materials, some students resort to copy-pasting passages from various online publications. For instance, they may plagiarize a report from a Wikipedia entry and submit it as their own work.
There are even online communities and crowdsourced sites like Homework Helper, where students can share answers to homework and exam questions. Simply ask a question or post a math problem, and other users will chime in to give answers.
Meanwhile, some websites offer free, pre-written papers based on common subjects and textbooks. Some essay mills even sell premade essays that students can use and submit as their own. But because these papers are mass-produced, the risk of plagiarism is always high.
Contract Cheating
This form of academic dishonesty often comes with the heaviest sanctions. Contract cheating is when a student buys a custom paper or hires a writer from an online essay writing service to complete an assignment for them.
However, there’s a caveat: technically, essay writing services are businesses where students can purchase custom papers to use as learning resources, not submit as their own.
According to IHateWritingEssays founder David Anderson,
“The issue arises when a student passes off these purchased papers as their own. This is completely against the policies of any decent essay writing service and is certainly grounds for academic dishonesty.”
While many services ensure that the papers are original, this is no excuse to use them to bypass academic work. Sanctions can include suspension, academic probation, or even expulsion.
Mobile Apps and Websites
Some tech-savvy cheating methods require little to no effort on the student’s part. Homework apps are developed daily, and using them is as simple as clicking a button. Common examples include:
- Photomath – allows users to take a photo of a math problem and get the answer instantly, often without understanding the underlying concepts.
- Translation apps – used to translate entire passages or texts instead of learning the material.
- Wolfram Alpha and Cymath – solve complex math problems online, intended to help but often used to shortcut the learning process.
Texting During Exams
Texting is a quick way for students to exchange answers during exams, typically done covertly when teachers or proctors aren’t paying attention. It’s the modern version of note-passing and is still widely used—even when phones are prohibited.
Storing Notes
Some students simply store notes or photos of answers on their phones, then access them during tests. Others use Bluetooth earpieces, infrared signals, or even hidden apps to share answers in real time.
How to Prevent Plagiarism and Cheating
In today’s world, figuring out what counts as plagiarism or cheating can be tricky. But technology can work both ways. Parents and teachers can use it to detect and prevent academic dishonesty.
Discuss Plagiarism and Cheating
Fighting plagiarism starts with education and awareness. Let students explore the topic by writing essays or presentations about:
- Types of plagiarism
- How to avoid plagiarism
- Consequences of academic dishonesty
- Proper citation practices
- How to paraphrase effectively
- How to write bibliographies
- How accidental plagiarism happens
- Tips for detecting plagiarism
Establish Rules and Make Them Known
Educators should clearly communicate their expectations. Use honor codes or academic integrity policies and explain the consequences of violating them.
Make Tasks Unique
Assign projects that require individual thought and creativity. This makes it harder to find ready-made solutions online and encourages original work.
Use Plagiarism Checkers
There are many plagiarism detection tools—some integrated into school LMS systems—that help educators save time and ensure work originality. These tools scan millions of online sources and flag matches, providing clarity and evidence in the classroom.
Final Thoughts
Honesty is the best policy. Remind students that cheating may offer short-term gains, but in the long run, they’re only cheating themselves. Let them know their frustration is valid—but also reinforce that hard work, originality, and integrity will always pay off.
