Influence of peer pressure and Social Media on Cybercrime Involvement among University Students in South-South Nigeria

This study explores the sociological drivers behind the trend, focusing on peer pressure and social media as dual enablers of cyber fraud among Nigerian university students. Anchored in Social Learning Theory, Differential Association Theory, and Strain Theory, the research examines how peer dynamics and online influence normalize fraudulent behaviors and facilitate their propagation within academic environments. Using a multistage sampling technique, data were collected from 300 students across three universities in South-South Nigeria. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation matrices. Results indicate that peer influence significantly affects students’ likelihood of engaging in cyber fraud, with 70% of respondents acknowledging peer pressure as a motivating factor. Additionally, social media platforms especially TikTok and Instagram were identified as major arenas for the glamorization and execution of cyber fraud schemes. A striking 71% of respondents reported exposure to fraudulent content online, and over 72% agreed that social media contributes to the normalization of cybercrime among their peers. The correlation analysis revealed that materialism is positively associated with cybercrime engagement (r = 0.58, p < 0.001), while social acceptance negatively correlates with both materialism and cybercrime. These findings underscore how students’ desires for wealth, status, and peer validation can override ethical considerations. The study concludes that cyber fraud among university students is not merely a criminal issue but a sociological phenomenon rooted in evolving cultural values, peer validation mechanisms, and digital exposure. The study recommends a multidimensional intervention strategy encompassing digital literacy, peer-led ethical education, curriculum reform, and strengthened campus counseling services. Such initiatives are essential to counter the cultural and technological forces enabling cybercrime and to foster a value-based student culture in Nigeria’s higher institutions.