DETERMINANTS OF CYBERCRIMES AMONG YOUTHS IN EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

This study examined the determinants of cybercrimes among youths in Egor LGA of Edo State. The objectives of the study were to: investigate the relationship between unemployment rates and the incidence of cybercrime among youths in Egor LGA of Edo State, ascertain the effects of peer-influence on youth engagement in cybercrime in Egor LGA of Edo State, examine the role access to technology and the internet play in facilitating cybercrime among unemployed youths in Egor LGA of Edo State, and evaluate the role of penal institution in curbing the menace of youth unemployment and cybercrime in Egor LGA of Edo State. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design, and the targeted population for the study were residents between the age of 15 to 35 in Egor LGA. The study employed a purposive sampling method in purposively targeting youths who are involved in cybercrime from among the total population of youths in Egor L.G.A, and a sample size of five hundred (500) youths within the age bracket of (15-35) were selected from Egor LGA. Hence, data for the study were analysed using descriptive statistics. The descriptive method described the demography of respondents using frequency and percentage, and the hypotheses of the study were tested with chi-square and correlation. The analysis was conducted using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS 30.0) software. However, findings from the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between unemployment and youths’ involvement in cybercrime in Egor LGA of Edo State, there is association between peer-influence and youth engagement in cybercrime in Egor LGA of Edo State, there is a correlation between technology and the internet on youth engagement in cybercrime in Egor LGA of Edo State, and the penal institution and relevant government institutions have a significant role to play in curbing the menace of cybercrime among youths in Nigeria. The study then recommended that it is important for the government to develop government and private sector initiatives aimed at creating job opportunities for youths. This could include internships, apprenticeships, and skills training in high-demand areas such as technology, agriculture, and craftsmanship; there is need for the government and other relevant authorities to provide resources for young entrepreneurs through grants, low-interest loans, and business development training, as encouraging innovation and self-employment can distract youths from engaging in cybercrime for quick financial gain; at the community level, there is need to launch campaigns to educate communities about the dangers of cybercrime and the importance of ethical behaviour online, as engaging local leaders can help reinforce these messages; it is important to foster partnerships between educational institutions and tech companies to create programs aimed at equipping youths with relevant technical skills, as these partnerships can lead to internships and job placements; and there is need to establish innovation hubs and tech incubators that provide resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities for young tech enthusiasts to develop their ideas in a supportive environment.