Effect of Cybercrime on the Academic Performance of Students of Tertiary Institutions in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The contribution of internet to the development of the nation has been marred by cybercrime activities. Cybercrime is emerging as a very concrete threat, not only in Nigeria but to the entire world. The high level of insecurity on the internet is becoming worrisome so much in the sense that transactions on the internet have become a thing of doubt. This research intends to examine the effect cybercrime has on the academic performance of students of tertiary institutions in Enugu State Nigeria. Survey research method was used in which questionnaire was distributed to various respondents in the execution of the study. The population of the study was 8,034, while the sample size was 381using Taro Yamani statistical formular. Chi-square and simple percentages was used in analyzing data. The study revealed that cybercrime has significant negative effect on study habit, learning outcome and to a large extent was engineered by such factors as uncertainty, and bad leadership. The recommendations suggeststo include into the curriculum of instructions cybercrime as
general course to be taught in tertiary institutions. Parents, religious bodies and traditional institutions should aggressively orientate youth on the menace of cybercrime. Creating awareness that hard-work brings prosperity. Meanwhile employment opportunities, empowerment and relief fund for both undergraduates and graduates should also be factored by the Government. Police and other
security agencies should be made to undertake courses on cybercrime detection using technology as opposed to the current stop and
search which is intruding into personal privacy and embarrassing the innocent citizen.