A Critical Investigation of the Impact of Cybercrime on the Academic Achievement of Undergraduate Students (A Case Study of University of Benin)
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
The general objective of the study is to investigate the impact of cybercrime on the academic achievement of undergraduate students using a case study of the University of Benin. Specifically, the study will be guided by the following;
- To evaluate the factors responsible for University of Benin students’ indulgence in cybercrime.
- To find out the effect of cyber-crime on University of Benin students’ academic achievement.
- To examine challenges University authority face in the course of eradicating cybercrime among students.
- To investigate strategies for reducing cyber-crime among University of Benin students.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Introduction
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. Precisely, the chapter will be considered in three sub-headings:
- Conceptual Framework
- Theoretical framework
- Empirical Review
Conceptual Framework
Concept of Cyber Crime
Cybercrime is any criminal activity that involves a computer, networked device or a network. While most cybercrimes are carried out in order to generate profit for the cybercriminals, some cybercrimes are carried out against computers or devices directly to damage or disable them, while others use computers or networks to spread malware, illegal information, images or other materials (Brush, Rosencrance and Cobb, 2020). Halder and Karuppannan, (2011) define cybercrimes as offences that are committed against individuals or groups of individuals with a criminal motive to intentionally harm the reputation of the victim or cause physical or mental harm to the victim directly or indirectly, using modern telecommunication networks such as Internet (Chat rooms, emails, notice boards and groups), and mobile phones (SMS/MMS). Thomas and Loader (2000), conceptualised cybercrime as those ―computer-mediated activities which are either illegal or considered illicit by certain parties and which can be conducted through global electronic networks‖. Maat (2004), proposed a definition for cybercrime which encompasses all illegal activities where the computer, computer systems, information network or data is the target of the crime and those known illegal activities or crime that are actively committed through or with the aid of computer, computer systems, information network or data. Cyber Crime is broadly defined as any illegal activity that involves a computer, another digital device or a computer network.
Cybercrime, also called computer crime, the use of a computer as an instrument to further illegal ends, such as committing fraud, trafficking in child pornography and intellectual property, stealing identities, or violating privacy. Cybercrime, especially through the Internet, has grown in importance as the computer has become central to commerce, entertainment, and government (Dennis, 2019). Internet has been the revolutionary invention of the 20th century. It successfully shrunk the world into a much smaller place by bringing the citizens and nations closer together in terms of enhanced communication and prompt exchange of ideas and information (Saroha, 2014). Keeping aside its advantages, internet has also raised numerous security concerns which found place in highest levels of official and governmental discourses. Such crimes threaten a nation’s security and financial health. These issues surrounding these type of crimes have become high-profiling cases around the world (Tanwar, 2016).
In Nigeria, cybercrimes seem to be perpetrated by people of all ages ranging from young to old, but in most recent instances the young appear to be the worst offenders. Akpan (2016) reported that cybercrime has put the Nigerian students in a serious quest for money other than the real deal of getting university education. Several youths engage in cybercrime with the aim of emerging as the best hacker, or as a profit making venture since the tools for hacking in our modern world has become affordable by many. Ngozi (2016) submitted that the rate at which Nigerian youths are involving in one form of cybercrime or the other calls for urgent concern. Going by the nature that cybercrime can tarnish the image and reputation of organizations, institutions and individuals, it becomes very imperative; however, to investigate level of student involvement in cyber-crime, its implications and remedies.
The fundamental purpose of education is to prepare of students for the future. Students are now flourish in the modern, fast-paced, high-tech world and as such, must have information seeking capacity and technology skills. The means of acquiring this literacy must be embedded in learning programmes and be part of student’s educational experience. However, Nigerian students are now aware of the cybercrimes carried out with the aid of internet and a computer system. Some of them are now master-minds such a crime. Victims of cybercrime usually the gullible, go through serious pains (emotional/psychological) as they are duped of their hard earned money by fraudsters, who may even be their own children/relatives. And this have led to many cases of death through suicide arising from cybercrime. Moreover, the prevalence of cybercrime gives a country a bad image. It also threatens a nation’s security and financial health. Students are now taking pleasure in defrauding public and private organizations as well as their fellow students.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter discusses the method employed by the researcher in carrying out the study. It is discussed under the following sub-headings: Design of the study, Area of the study, Population of the study, Sampling and sampling techniques, Instrument for data collection, Validation of the instrument, Method of data collection and Method of data analysis.
Research Design
The research design adopted for this study was a survey design. This research design was chosen because it reports things the way they are and also specified who and what are to be measured. The survey research design was used in this study. According to Babbie (1990), survey research provides a quantitative or numeric description of trends, attitudes, or portion of a population by studying a sample of that population. Colins (2007) posited that survey research design includes selecting a representative and unbiased sample of subjects drawn from the group under study. Data collected from the respondents contributed to knowledge and generated more information about the impact of cybercrime on the academic achievement of undergraduate students using a case study of the University of Benin.
Research Population
The study was carried out in University of Benin, Edo State. The University of Benin (popularly referred to as UNIBEN) is a public research university located in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It is among the universities owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and was founded in 1970. The school currently has two campuses with fifteen faculties including a central library called the John Harris Library. The buildings in UNIBEN are sparsely built, they are not close to each other. The University of Benin was founded on 1 July, 1971. The National Universities Commission (NUC) has accredited faculties and departments in the university. The population for the survey constituted of 891 undergraduates in UNIBEN, Edo State.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter presents the data analysis procedure and the results while discussing the findings on the impact of cybercrime on the academic achievement of undergraduate students using a case study of the University of Benin. The results are presented based on order of the research questions and hypothesis.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
This chapter presents the final parts of the study. This comprises of the summary, conclusion and recommendations.
Summary
The study was carried out to investigate the impact of cybercrime on the academic achievement of undergraduate students using a case study of the University of Benin. From the analyzed data, the summary of the findings are as follows:
- The respondents accepted that the fear of unemployment had been the identity as a push factor for university undergraduates’ involvement in cybercrime.
- The respondents accepted that indulgence in cybercrime affects the student’s intellectual level and also the overall academic achievement of the students.
- The respondents also accepted that the possible strategies that could be employed to reduce the menace of cybercrime among university undergraduates involve the need to raise penalties and to increase the seriousness of offenders.
Conclusion
Taking cognizance of the nature and effects of cybercrime among undergraduates in University of Benin, Edo State, there will always be new and unexpected challenges to stay ahead of cyber criminals and cyber terrorists, but we can only do this successfully by partnership and collaboration of both individuals and government. There is much we can do to ensure a safe, secure and trust worth computing environment. It is crucial not only to our general sense of wellbeing but also, to our national security and economy. The remarkable development in human history through computer technology has no doubt brought transformation in all aspects of life, especially in communication and information technology. Nevertheless, the embracement of the internet has come with a lot of mixed feelings despite its numerous advantages to the undergraduate in University of Benin, Edo State, and people are valued regarding what they possess and command economically. Conversely, those without economic success are undervalued, and the pressure to achieve success is intensified despite the harsh financial condition such as unemployment amongst others. This necessitated the ability of individuals to devise survival strategies and attain economic success by indulging in cybercrime. The perpetrators of cybercrime are not far-fetched; they are our brothers, friends, colleague, distant relatives and neighbours who can be tamed under appropriate circumstances with the right and positive communication, orientation, education, and empowerment.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher therefore, makes the following recommendations:
- Individuals should observe simple rules, individuals on their part should ensure proper anti-malware protection on their computer system, and individual should be encouraged to avoid pirate software, never to share their Identification Number (PIN), bank account, email access code to unknown persons.
- University undergraduates should be educated on the proper use of cyber and internet.
- University undergraduates should see cybercrime as a severe offence that destroys individual and the society at large and not as fun.
- University undergraduates should stop making use of technology to the committee or facilitate the commission of traditional crimes.
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