The impact of social media on cybersecurity awareness

Abstract

The rapid growth of social media in Nigeria has transformed communication and business but also introduced cybersecurity threats like phishing and identity theft, with limited awareness of their impact. This study assessed social media’s influence on cybersecurity awareness among Nigerian users, evaluating awareness levels, information dissemination, and behavioral changes. Using a descriptive survey design, 1,000 adult social media users were selected via stratified random sampling. Data was collected through questionnaires on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square tests). Findings showed most respondents understood basic cybersecurity concepts, such as malware and multi-factor authentication. Over 65% encountered cybersecurity content on social media, with more than half improving their online practices due to this exposure. Gender significantly influenced awareness, suggesting a need for gender-sensitive strategies, while age, education, and usage frequency showed no significant correlation. Social media effectively promoted awareness but also posed risks like misinformation. The study concludes that social media is a valuable tool for enhancing cybersecurity awareness and safer practices if challenges like trust gaps and content overload are addressed. Recommendations include interactive, gender-sensitive campaigns, ensuring credible information, and fostering collaborations between social media platforms and cybersecurity organizations.