Influence of Peer Pressure on Youth Involvement in Cybercrime in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the influence of peer pressure on youth involvement in cybercrime in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Three research objectives and two hypotheses guided this study. The theoretical framework is based on strain theory. A descriptive survey design was employed, and the study sample size consisted of 397 youth residents of Onitsha North Local Government Area, aged 18 years and above. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS, through frequency count, percentage, mean ratings, and charts, while chi-square (χ²) inferential statistics was used in testing the hypotheses. The findings revealed that peer group pressure influences youth involvement in cybercrime in the study area. The implications include erosion of moral values, intimidation of the public with questionable riches, violation of laws, weakening of judicial processes and intrusion of cyberspace, among others. Additionally, the study found that female respondents are not significantly more likely to perceive peer pressure as a leading factor in youth involvement in cybercrime (p = 0.210, > 0.05). Similarly, respondents with tertiary education are not significantly more likely to consider advance-fee-fraud (yahoo) as a prevailing form of cybercrime in Onitsha North compared to those with lower levels of education (p = 0.104, > 0.05). The study concludes that if no stringent measures are taken to curb the menace, cybercrime will not only sustain Nigeria's negative reputation in the comity of nations but also potentially destroy the nation's youth population. It recommends that the government should identify and address other social conditions, such as unemployment, that lead youth to engage in cybercrime, in addition to addressing peer pressure. Furthermore, the study suggests that the society should discourage the culture of celebrating wealth without clear processes.