ASSESSMENT OF THE PERCEPTIONS ON THE EFFECTS OF CYBERCRIME ON SENIOR HIGH STUDENTS IN TAMALE METROPOLIS: A CASE STUDY OF VITTING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Background: Cybercrime refers to any crime or wrongdoing which is committed through the use of computer technology and internet to harm individuals and organizations. This crime cuts across all boarders and boundaries in the globe. It needs an inclusive approach by global cybersecurity organization and agencies to achieve success in the fight against cybercrime. This study aimed to assess cybercrime and its effects on students of vitting senior high school in the Tamale Metropolis of the Northern Region, Ghana. Methods: The study employed both qualitative and quantitative to gather data to achieve its objectives. Stratified and simple random sampling technique was used to select 329 respondents from various strata, form 1-3. Purposive sampling was also used to select key informants for interview. Data which was collected from questionnaire were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data that was gathered from the interview. Results: Data from the study revealed that majority of students 81.2% indicated that cybercrime is a very common practice among secondary school students which was confirmed by the key informants. The study deduced from both quantitative and qualitative data that vengeance or payback 73.6%, the quest for quick riches 58.7%, poor parenting 50.8%, fame 49.5%, poverty 48%, Internet literacy 46.5%, are the inspiring causes for students‘ involvement in cybercrime. Conclusion: Many of the respondents were knowledgeable in identifying the modus operandi of cybercrime practices and their source of knowledge were indicated as friends, internet, radio and television. The study revealed that going to jail, decrease ability to concentrate, poor academic performance, absenteeism and school dropout were some of the effects connected with cybercrime among students. Cybercrime and poor academic performances were linked where its practice led to decline in their academic performance.