YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL MEDIA FRAUD IN KASHIM IBRAHIM UNIVERSITY: PROBLEMS, EFFECTS, AND SOLUTIONS

This study examined the problems, effects, and possible solutions to youth participation in social media fraud at Kashim Ibrahim University. It focused on identifying the main causes that push students into fraudulent online activities, analysing how such behaviour affects their personal and academic lives, and suggesting effective preventive strategies and institutional responses. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 100 students across different faculties through structured questionnaires, out of which 98 were retrieved and analysed using SPSS for frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that financial gain, peer pressure, and lack of awareness were the major reasons students engage in social media fraud, while platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram were the most commonly used. The study also found that students often view such fraudulent practices as an easy and low-risk means of making quick money, reflecting a growing culture of instant wealth among young people. The effects identified included loss of trust, damage to personal and institutional reputation, psychological distress, and poor academic performance. Some students even reported that involvement in such activities led to withdrawal from studies due to stress or fear of exposure. Moreover, the study showed that awareness campaigns, strict enforcement of laws, and moral reorientation through counselling and education are among the most effective ways to reduce students’ participation in social media fraud. Based on these findings, the study concludes that youth involvement in social media fraud results from a mix of personal desires, social influences, and weak institutional oversight, all of which require a coordinated response. Therefore, it recommends increased digital awareness, stronger disciplinary measures, moral education, parental involvement, and collaboration between universities and social media companies to foster responsible online behaviour among students.