PEER INFLUENCE, SOCIAL-MEDIA AND CYBERCRIME AMONG IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN OYO STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the impact of social media use and peer pressure on the engagement of in-school adolescents in cybercrime in Oyo State, Nigeria in an attempt to fill a crucial knowledge gap. Data from 400 secondary school students were gathered for the study using validated questionnaires and a cross-sectional survey approach. The study was guided by a single research question and two hypotheses, and the data were analysed using multiple regression, descriptive statistics, and a population t-test. Cybercrime engagement was high, according to the results (Mean=25.80, SD=9.20; t(399)=31.47, p<.05). Furthermore, social media use and peer pressure together predicted up to 41.6% of the variation in cybercrime involvement (R²=.416). Peer pressure was found to be a more powerful predictor than social media usage (β=.236, p<.05) based on an analysis of their relative influence (β=.531, p<.05). The study concludes that peer pressure is the major determinant of adolescent’s cybercrime, though both variables are responsible. To promote resilience against these social influences, recommendations made include improving digital literacy instruction and putting peer-oriented cyber-ethics programmes into place in secondary schools in Oyo State.

Keywords: Cybercrime, peer influence, social media, in-school adolescents.

Ethics and Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that ethical guidelines were followed throughout the research process. We make clear that the views and findings expressed in the study are solely those of the authors. The authors also declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding this study.

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