IMPACT OF CYBERCRIME ON THE EDUCATIONAL PERFROMANCE OF STUDENTS OF SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IKPOBA OKHA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study examined the correlates of cybercrime and academic performance among secondary school students in Ikpoba Okha local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State. A sample of 100 copies of questionnaire was distributed randomly to 90 respondents in selected secondary school namely Ever Precious Group of school, Medna Group of school, Gloria Group of school at Ikpoba Okha. Based on the findings, it was revealed that students/ have knowledge of cybercrime and other internet related issues; that accessibility of technology is one of the major factors responsible for student involvement in cybercrime; that poverty and unemployment (as regards their caregivers or significant others) is responsible for involvement in cybercrime and that peer influence and frustration are active factors that lead to cybercrime. Secondary schools should come up with mechanisms for raising cybercrime awareness among the students. It can do so by organizing conferences and seminars and inviting cyber-security experts to give talks on the matters pertaining cybercrime. Secondary schools can also invite legal experts to inform students on matters pertaining cybercrime laws and cybercrime reporting. In addition, the secondary schools can raise awareness by creating a common unit for all the students in order to teach them about cybercrime. Such unit can include things like causes of cybercrime, effects of cybercrime and cybercrime laws. Government should adequately equip the Police force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corruption Practices Commission (ICPC) and other security operatives with improved technology to detect and prevent cybercrimes. Nigerian Government should enact stringent laws against cybercrime and ensure that violators are punished accordingly without discrimination.