Upsurge of Cybercrimes among Undergraduate Students of Delta State University, Abraka

Abstract

Nigeria has become notoriously famous for the increasing rate of youth involvement in 
cybercrime. Similarly, literature has captured Abraka as a cybercrime hotspot for youths. This 
study focused on the prevalence of cybercrimes among undergraduate students of Delta State 
University, Abraka by identifying the socio-economic factors, examining the role of technology, 
and assessing societal influences on this phenomenon. A cross-sectional survey design was 
employed by way of a structured questionnaire to gather data from 100 respondents selected 
through systematic random sampling. The analysis was conducted with the statistical package for 
social sciences (SPSS Version 25); and its results included descriptive and inferential statistics. 
Findings indicated a high level of cybercrime involvement among students of the university; and 
this is primarily driven by financial incentives and facilitated by technological advancements. 
Also, the study established that societal norms and peer pressure significantly influence students’ 
involvement in cybercrimes. Based on the findings, the study recommended introducing 
educational interventions, digital literacy programmes, peer support networks, community 
engagement initiatives, economic empowerment strategies, policy interventions, research 
collaborations, and public awareness campaigns to de-escalate the socio-economic and societal 
forces that promote cybercrimes involvement among youth.