ABSTRACT
The key objective of this study is to determine the extent to which social media influences criminal behaviour among students in the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to ascertain the effects of social media (Facebook) on criminal activities among students in the University of Calabar. To find out the impact of social media (WhatsApp) on criminal activities among students in the University of Calabar. Relevant literatures were reviewed and two theoretical orientations used as the study framework. The methodology adopted was a descriptive survey design and the instrument used was a self-administered questionnaire. A sample of 130 respondents was used for the study. Data were presented using simple percentage while hypothesis were tested using chi-square statistical tool. Findings of the study reveals that social media is an aiding instruments for criminal activities for students in the University of Calabar, social media index such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter cause criminal behaviours such as examination malpractice, sexual promiscuity, and cyber bullying among students in the University of Calabar. These findings were informed by the fact that all the formulated null hypothesis were rejected while the alternate accepted. At the end of the study, several recommendations were made and one of such is that as a site that create friendship and interaction, such friendship should be on self-development and acquisition of knowledge to users through social interaction with the other user they would come in contact with online, rather than for criminal purposes.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE – – – – – – i
CERTIFICATION – – – – – – – ii
DEDICATION – – – – – – – iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS – – – – – – iv
ABSTRACT – – – – – – – vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS – – – – – – vii
LIST OF TABLES – – – – – – x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study – – – – 1
1.2 Statement of the problem – – – – 4
1.3 Objective of the study – – – – – 6
1.4 Research Questions – – – – – 7
- Research Hypothesis – – – – – 7
1.6 Significance of the Study – – – – 8
1.7 Scope of the Study – – – – – 9
1.8 Definition of Concepts – – – – – 9
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Literature Review – – – – – 11
2.1.1 Social media and Criminal Behaviour – – 11
2.1.2 Social media (Facebook) and criminal activities – 16
2.1.3 Social Media (WhatsApp) and criminal activities – 18
2.1.4 Social media (Twitter) and criminal activities – 22
2.2 Theoretical Framework – – – – 23
2.2.1 Social Exchange Theory – – – – 23
2.2.2 Diffusion of Innovation Theory                 –       –       –       27
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design – – – – – – 31
3.2 Profile of the Study Area – – – – 31
3.3 Population of the Study – – – – – 36
3.4 Sampling Procedure – – – – – 36
3.5 Sample Size – – – – – – 39
3.6 Sources of data collection – – – – 40
3.7 Instrument of data collection – – – – 40
3.8 Validity of instrument – – – – – 41
3.9 Reliability of instrument – – – – 42
3.10 Administration of the instrument – – – 42
3.11 Method of data analysis – – – – 43
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1Data Presentation – – – – – – 44
4.2 Test of Hypotheses – – – – – – 50
4.3 Discussion of Findings – – – – – 57
4.3.1 Social Media (Facebook) – – – – 57
4.3.2 Social Media (WhatsApp) – – – – 58
4.3.3 Social Media (Twitter) – – – – – 59
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary – – – – – – – 61
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – 62
5.3 Recommendations – – – – – – 63
5.4 Suggestions for further studies – – – – 64
REFERENCES – – – – – – – 65
APPENDIX – – – – – – –
