AN EXPLORATION ON THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON CYBERCRIME AND ONLINE HARRASSMENT

The study explores the Influence of Social Media on Students' Exposure to Cybercrime and online harassment, focusing on the University of Delta, Agbor. With the increasing integration of digital technologies into academic and social life, students have become both beneficiaries and victims of social media use. Employing a descriptive cross-sectional design, data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires administered to 101 randomly selected students from the Department of Criminology and Security Studies. The study assessed patterns of social media use, the prevalence and mechanisms of cybercrime and online harassment, and demographic characteristics of victims and perpetrators. Findings revealed a high frequency of social media engagement among students, with significant exposure to cybercrime and harassment, particularly through platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. The results underscore the dual nature of social media — as a tool for learning and connection, and as a channel for digital threats. The study recommends stronger digital literacy campaigns, institutional support systems, and policy interventions to mitigate risks and protect students online. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics to present findings clearly and objectively.