Cybercrime Involvement And Class Attendance Among Undergraduate Students Of Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria
Akissani Leviticus Apayiwu, Daniel Rosemary Onchi
Keywords: Academic performance, class attendance, cybercrime, economic hardship
Abstract
The proliferation of the internet has transformed communication but has concurrently facilitated cybercrime. Among Nigerian undergraduates, economic hardship, peer influence, and the allure of quick wealth have intensified engagement in cybercriminal activities. This study examines the relationship between cybercrime involvement and class attendance among students of Benue State University. The research was guided by Jaishankar’s Space Transition Theory, which explains how individuals’ behavior may differ as they move between physical and cyberspace. A quantitative research approach was employed for the study, with a sample of 400 students selected out of 27,712 using Yamane’s formula. Data were collected via structured Likert-scale questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS. Findings indicate that students generally perceive maintaining multiple social media accounts as normative, while 32 respondents reject the notion that unauthorized computer use is “smart.” Fear of detection was reported to discourage some students from attending lectures, though perceptions of class attendance varied. Strong support was expressed for integrating cybercrime prevention into the curriculum. Linear regression analysis revealed a very weak and statistically insignificant relationship between cybercrime involvement and class attendance (R = 0.053, R² = 0.003, p > 0.05), suggesting other factors play a more significant role in academic participation. The study concludes that while cybercrime is prevalent among undergraduates, its direct effect on class attendance is minimal. Recommendations include implementing cybercrime awareness programmes, promoting responsible digital behavior, enhancing classroom engagement, establishing monitoring and support systems, and conducting further research on academic and digital behaviours to improve student outcomes.
Author Biography
Akissani Leviticus Apayiwu, Daniel Rosemary Onchi
Department of Sociology, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]