Social media platforms have revolutionized communication, creativity, education, and business around the world in recent years. Although the growth and usage of these platforms by Nigerians has skyrocketed over time due to the great opportunities they present, most of these platforms are currently disseminating inappropriate content or causing serious harm to our society. There is also a dark side where it is used to engage in cybercrime which poses significant risks. , especially young people.
A recent conversation with my cousin brought these issues into sharp relief, where he mentioned certain social media platforms, where moral decline and inappropriate content are often shared. warned me to avoid it. His alarm highlights a troubling side of social media that we often overlook in our quest for connection and entertainment. As a technology expert and researcher with a background in cybersecurity, I am particularly concerned about how these changes are impacting our society, especially our younger generations.
The pursuit of fame on social media, with its potential for financial rewards and social status, is leading many young Nigerians down dangerous paths. As a nation, traditional values such as education, hard work, and honesty are gradually being overshadowed by the pursuit of likes, shares, and followers. For example, TikTok’s “Silhouette Challenge,” in which users pose provocatively in reddish silhouettes, became a viral trend in Nigeria a few months ago. Although many were participating for fun, the challenge raised serious privacy concerns as some users manipulated the video to remove the red filter, exposing participants’ bodies. Ta. This trend is indicative of a broader shift in society that seeks instant gratification and temporary internet fame at the expense of hard work, integrity, and perseverance.
The rise in inappropriate content not only erodes the moral fabric of our society, but also creates a vicious cycle in which creators of explicit content are rewarded with attention and followers, and technically across social media platforms. It facilitates the production of a lot of decadent content. Many of our youth are exposed daily to content that normalizes and glorifies behaviors that were once considered unacceptable by society. There is a new trend of women and young girls creating sexual content by posting half-naked videos, dancing provocatively, and engaging in explicit conversations. All this is done in the name of entertainment on these platforms. From Facebook to Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and other platforms, we’re seeing the gradual normalization of behavior that doesn’t feel safe, undermines social values, and puts young people at risk. .
Remarkably, Twitter is rapidly becoming a breeding ground for political divisions, tribal warfare across ethnic groups, bigotry, and derogatory speech. Hardly a week passes without a tribal and derogatory comment or space on Twitter among Nigerians. This is particularly worrying for a country already suffering from deep divisions. Additionally, the platform is now full of bots flooding comment sections with unwanted nudity and explicit content, seemingly turning a platform meant for meaningful discussion into a toxic environment. Even more alarming is how easily people’s private videos can be leaked and circulated on the platform for blackmail purposes. Concern is fueled by an increase in defamation, cyberstalking and character assassination, often carried out under the cover of anonymity.
The Cyber Crime Unit of the Nigeria Police Force has initiated action to nominate, arrest and detain several persons on suspicion of defamation, cyber stalking and other cyber crime related activities. While these actions are necessary and laudable, they also expose broader problems. Many Nigerians are unaware that such activities are a criminal offense under the Cybercrime Prohibition Act 2015. The law specifically criminalizes online conduct such as defamation, cyberstalking, bullying, and unauthorized distribution of private content. However, despite the clear provisions of the law, a significant portion of the general public remains uninformed, which contributes to the prevalence of these crimes on social media platforms.
The proliferation of cybercrime is a major problem in Nigeria, and unfortunately platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are exploiting unsuspecting users by using sophisticated techniques and generative AI to create highly realistic images and videos. It has become a hunting ground for scammers who take advantage of it. The prevalence of such scams, from fake investment opportunities to get-rich-quick schemes, has made Nigeria one of the countries most involved in cybercrime globally. Nigeria is the most involved in cybercrime, according to the Global Cybercrime Index, compiled after three years of intensive research by an international team of researchers and published on the News and Events page of the University of Oxford website in April 2024. It is ranked 5th in the country. Russia, Ukraine, China, America.
Sadly, such abuses on social media have become commonplace, especially in a country where youth unemployment is high and many young people feel they have few legitimate opportunities to improve their abilities. A growing number of generations believe that deception and crime are effective means of achieving success. situation. Concerns about the impact of social media platforms on national security and public morality have led some countries to take significant steps. For example, TikTok is banned from government devices in some countries. This reflects a global recognition of the potential dangers associated with many social media platforms, from privacy violations to the erosion of social values.
Nigeria has some of the necessary legal frameworks in place to address the growing problem of inappropriate online content and cybercrime. However, many people do not know much about these laws. Ensuring that these regulations are enforced fairly and without bias or prejudice is also a major challenge. The Cybercrime Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 provide a framework for the prosecution of cybercrime, regulation of personal data and protection of digital rights in Nigeria. However, many Nigerians do not know that activities such as defamation, cyberstalking, and unauthorized distribution of private materials are serious crimes under the law, resulting in low public awareness of these laws and technical Cybercrime will continue to go unchecked.
In fact, the mandate of the Nigerian Communications Commission is to ensure that internet service providers monitor and block harmful and inappropriate content, among other things. However, the effectiveness of this is undermined, and coercion appears to be applied selectively in most cases, especially when it does not affect the political class. Nigeria’s data protection regulations are also tasked with protecting personal data, especially at a time when data breaches are on the rise globally. These efforts are supported by the Nigeria Police Cyber Crime Center and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, both of which contribute to the prosecution of cyber criminals. The recent fine of 555.8 million naira ($358.58 million) imposed on Fidelity Bank by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission for a data breach underscores the importance of data protection and the need for organizations and individuals to comply with these regulations. A clear reminder of the need to comply.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call to Nigerians to be more aware of these laws, understand their rights, and be careful about what is shared online as a cover for entertainment and fun. . Individuals must be careful with the content and content they create. Potential legal and social implications.
It is important to emphasize that these regulations are as good and effective as their enforcement, and that unfortunately in many cases those with power and connections are successful in evading justice. Despite the wealth of evidence of wrongdoing, often available online, some individuals continue to operate with impunity, protected by their ability to use relationships or bribes to get out of the system. . This undermines public trust not only in the laws and institutions themselves, but also in the institutions that are supposed to protect them.
Effectively combating the proliferation of questionable content and cybercrime in Nigeria requires a structured and coordinated approach. In addition to enacting laws and regulations, attention must also be paid to the education and awareness of the people. Digital literacy and cyber security education should be integrated into school curricula to ensure children and young people understand the risks and responsibilities associated with using the internet. This education should also be extended to parents through mass media at all levels in 36 states and across the country. F.C.T. Governments must also be prepared to close the technological gaps that hinder their ability to effectively fight cybercrime. This includes investing in modern cybersecurity infrastructure and tools and training law enforcement to use them without bias or political influence.
Working more closely with local and international technology companies to develop solutions that can respond to the evolving threat landscape and secure Nigeria’s digital space will go a long way in curbing online excesses. Holding social media platforms accountable for the content they allow on their sites is also another key element of this structured approach. These platforms must implement stricter content moderation policies and act quickly to remove harmful content. The NCC must ensure strict enforcement of regulations and hold service providers accountable. Social media platforms operating in Nigeria must comply with the law by providing timely and accurate information about questionable activities and inappropriate content on their platforms, especially when it concerns national security. Cooperation with enforcement agencies should also be encouraged.
Joshua Oyeniyi is the Chief Technology Officer of Learned Library Electronic Law Report. He writes from Abuja
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