CYBER CRIMINALITY AWARENESS AND RISK PERCEPTION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SELECTED GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS IN ABUJA

Abstract

Cybercrime as a growing threat in Nigeria, particularly among young people, amid the rapid digitalization, weak ethical awareness, and socioeconomic pressures. This study assessed cyber criminality in relation to its awareness and risk perception among secondary school students in selected government schools in Abuja.  Using a mixed-methods approach involving questionnaires administered to 380 students and focus group discussions with 16 participants, the research examined students’ perceptions of the impacts of cybercrime and the influence of demographic factors on their practices toward cyber offenses. Findings showed that most respondents were highly aware of the harmful effects of cybercrime, with a strong agreement that it tarnishes Nigeria’s international image, affect victims financially as well as emotionally, erodes trust in digital systems, and also promotes moral decay among Nigerian youths. However, knowledge of specific legal provisions and certain non-financial offenses was limited. A very small number of students in the study area reported moral disengagement, which was characterised by viewing less harm when victims were distant or wealthy. The chi-square analysis showed a statistically significant association between gender and practices towards cybercrime (p = 0.040), with males being more likely to hold permissive or neutral attitudes than females. There were no statistically significant effects of age and class level. Qualitative data revealed limited understanding, peer influence, and the glamorization of "Yahoo Yahoo" lifestyles on social media. The research finds that although students acknowledge various dangers of cybercrime, deficiencies in legal knowledge and ethical comprehension remain, with gender significantly influencing behavior tendencies. The paper suggests the need to incorporating cybersecurity education and digital ethics into the secondary school curriculum, also to focuse on awareness initiatives with organizations like National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including the need for gender-sensitive measures to tackle peer pressure among male students. These initiatives are vital to reduce youth participation in cybercrime and encourage responsible digital citizenship.