19/09/2024
STUDENT'S WRITE UP
THE DARK SIDE OF THE DIGITAL AGE
Cybercrime refers to criminal activities that involve the use of computers, computer networks or the internet to commit illegal acts. These activities can be committed against individuals, businesses, governments or organizations. So therefore, no one can lay claim of not being affected.
Cybercrime has destroyed and bastardized the Nigerian system. Many of our youths and teens are involved in this practice. The young ones of the land are wasting time, energy and precious talents to this atrocious activity.
This has so many effects on the individual, society and nation at large. Through this practice many are duped, bullied and even harassed. There is automatically an increase in social vices. The worst of all is bad reputation to the family and nation. A nation known for cybercrime would never be placed in right standing with other countries. It affects the type of nations it interacts with and the foreign policy as well.
What is the remedy to this malady? What are the alternatives to this? Are we just going to sit on our arms and wait? Are we going to watch the next destroyed before even getting the chance to grow? We need solutions. First, there should be good homes. Parents should instill the right values in their children. Children should always have the awareness of whose children they are. The question ‘what will my parents say’, should constantly ring in their heads. Broken homes should also be reduced.
Another vital solution is job opportunities. Government should provide job opportunities for the youths. Indeed, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. Youths should be engrossed in positive jobs, so that their mind’s would not travel to make them do negative things.
Next, is sporting activities. Sporting activities should be promoted. Nigeria has different talents and we are not using them effectively. Take for instance, the Olympic Games. In a country of about 220 million people, we only had 88 athletes to represent the country. On top of that, we had zero medals. This is indeed very bad. This is a country where some of the youths are drunkards, touts, armed robbers, kidnappers and several others. Our talents are wasting away.
A vital alternative to cybercrime is skill acquisition and education. These two go hand in hand. Here in Nigeria, children spend about 9 to 10 years in primary school. They move to the secondary level where they spend 6 years. At this level, they are between the ages of 15, 16 and 17. These children have no experience in skills or any crafts. Here, they lack basic skills to walk through life. Skills like; life coping skills, creative skills, manipulating skills, listening skills etc. If they have knowledge of these practical skills, they would not need to involve in cybercrime.
Digital entrepreneurship should be promoted. Youths should be encouraged to create online businesses, products or services that meet societal needs. They can also involve themselves in digital art. They can utilize tools to create art, music or literature that raise awareness about societal lacunas.
By exploring these alternatives, the youths can redirect their skills and energy towards sustainable development, contributing to a more equitable and conducive environment for all.
By Oluyede Oluwaferanmi
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