Cybercrimes in Educational Institutions: Understanding Student Vulnerability and Digital Misconduct

The advent and the rapid advancement of information and communication technology (ICT) has given rise to the complex matter of cybercrimes at educational institutions. The case of cybercrime emanates from the traditional crimes which are committed online like cyberstalking, cyberbullying, unauthorised sexting, sextortion, copyright infringements, piracy, access to of unauthorized data, online child pornography, swindling other students, ad infinitum. This study examines multifaceted role of ICT in igniting these cybercrimes. The study will look at the ICT technologies as the enabling instruments for cybercrimes. The anonymity of committing these cybercrimes amplifies the severity of these cybercrimes which may lead to significant repercussions to the cybervictims’ psychological state and their academic performance. This study will also examine the ICT vectors used by perpetrators to commit these cybercrimes that include social medial platforms, messaging softwares and their applications, universities own internal ICT gadgets, softwares and educational platforms. The study will also look at the challenges faced by educational institutions in detecting, preventing, and managing these cybercrimes. The management of these cybercrimes must be done in a proactive manner than re-active manner. The study will argue that human centred and technological efforts are needed to curb the scourge of heinous cybercrimes.