EXPLORATION OF THE TYPES AND SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SCOURGE OF CYBERCRIME AMONG YOUTHS IN WUSE, ABUJA FCT, NIGERIA

Abstract

Cybercrime is a technological crime and global phenomenon prevalent among the youth, and with a lot of adverse implications. It is on this premise that this study explores the types and socio-demographic factors influencing the scourge of cybercrime among the youths in Wuse in Abuja (FCT), Nigeria. Several literatures pertinent to the study were reviewed. This explanatory study employed quantitative (survey with the use of questionnaire) method to source for raw data from 150 respondents from Wuse, Abuja FCT, Nigeria. The study revealed that major perpetrators of cybercrime are young male, unemployed people and students, with the use of laptops and advanced android/hi-phones. The study concluded that there are multi-faceted factors causing cybercrime in Nigeria. These are unemployment, quest for quick wealth, corrupt society and criminal minded of the youths. The study recommended that the Nigeria government should ensure adequate public sensitization against the menace of cybercrime in Nigeria; and that government and private sectors should provide job opportunities for the youths. The government should enact an effective law that gives comprehensive punishment for the culprits of cybercrime. Individual, parents and government should ensure personal security and safety on their cyber activities.