Cyber Crime Among Mathematical Science Students: Implications on Their Academic Performance

Cybercrime refers to abuse and misuse of computer and internet facilities by an individual or a corporate body in the cyberspace. It is a crime that is very rampant among students of both secondary and tertiary institution in Nigeria. It is crimes that need to be fight holistically by cyber security experts because it stands to destroy the moral foundation of every nation. This research intend to evaluate the effect cybercrime has on academic performance of mathematical science students of Oyo State College of Education Lanlate, Oyo State Nigeria. This research uses a case study design method through the use of questionnaire. Random sampling with replacement was used to select 150 respondents from NCE I - III. The data collected was analysed using mean score rating. The study reveals that majority of respondent have in-depth knowledge of what cybercrime is and how it is been perpetrated. The respondent claimed to know through friends and internet. Also, respondent attributed the course to poverty, peer influence and non-prosecution of offender by the security agency. The study revealed that student who indulge in cybercrime have difficulty in concentration in the class, poor study habit and eventually drop out of school due to poor performances. Students who get addicted to cybercrime often get convicted; go to prison and eventually loss their life. The study recommends that government should include courses to treat cybercrime in the secondary and university curriculum. Also an aggressive orientation from government mass media and religious body should be done to expose innocent youth to menace of cybercrime. Also government should improve the economic situation of the country by providing job opportunity, empowerment and relief fund for youth to have a better life.