1.1 Introduction
Social media refers to digital platforms and applications that enable users to create, share, and exchange information, ideas, and multimedia content in virtual communities and networks (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010). These platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok, have transformed communication patterns globally by making information dissemination faster, more interactive, and more accessible. In Nigeria, social media is widely adopted across different age groups and socio-economic classes, making it a powerful tool for communication, education, and awareness creation. Cybersecurity awareness refers to the understanding of potential online threats, risks, and safe practices that individuals adopt to protect themselves, their data, and their digital identities from cyberattacks such as phishing, identity theft, hacking, and online fraud (NIST, 2020).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are significance of the study, scope of work, research hypothesis and questions, limitation of the study and definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Social media has become one of the most influential communication tools in the modern digital era, reshaping how individuals, organizations, and governments interact and share information. According to Kaplan and Haenlein (2010), social media refers to internet-based applications that allow users to create, share, and exchange user-generated content within virtual communities. These platforms have evolved beyond social interaction tools to become powerful instruments for education, marketing, governance, and public awareness campaigns. In Nigeria, platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok have witnessed massive adoption due to increased internet penetration and smartphone usage.
Cybersecurity awareness is a critical aspect of digital safety in today's interconnected world. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, 2020), cybersecurity awareness involves the understanding of potential cyber risks and the adoption of safe online practices to protect personal, organizational, and national digital assets. As more Nigerians engage in online activities such as banking, shopping, communication, and information sharing, the need for cybersecurity awareness becomes increasingly important.
According to Okunoye and Alawode (2023), Nigeria has experienced a significant rise in cybercrime activities in recent years, largely driven by increased internet access and the growing use of social media platforms. They reported that cybercriminals exploit social media networks to carry out fraudulent activities such as identity theft, phishing scams, romance fraud, and financial impersonation.
Eze and Ibrahim (2022) asserted that despite the growing exposure of Nigerians to social media platforms, there is still a low level of cybersecurity awareness among many users. They further stated that many individuals engage in risky online behavior such as clicking unknown links, sharing personal information publicly, and using weak passwords, which increases their vulnerability to cyberattacks.
Chukwuemeka and Okoye (2023) affirmed that social media platforms play a dual role in cybersecurity awareness promotion. They explained that while these platforms expose users to cyber threats due to their open nature, they also serve as effective channels for disseminating cybersecurity information. Government agencies, cybersecurity experts, and private organizations increasingly use social media to share safety tips, alerts, and preventive strategies aimed at reducing cyber risks among users.
According to Akinola and Musa (2022), social media has become a major source of informal learning for many Nigerians, especially youths. They contended that although awareness messages are frequently shared on these platforms, the effectiveness of such messages depends on how users perceive and apply the information. They further noted that exposure to cybersecurity content does not always translate into behavioral change, as many users continue to engage in unsafe online practices despite being aware of potential risks.
Oluwaseun and Adeyemi (2024) reported that cybercriminals have also adapted to the widespread use of social media by developing more sophisticated methods of deception. They stated that social engineering techniques are commonly used to manipulate users into revealing sensitive information. These techniques include fake job offers, fraudulent investment schemes, and impersonation of trusted accounts. Furthermore, according to Adeoye and Balogun (2021), the effectiveness of cybersecurity awareness campaigns in Nigeria is hindered by inconsistent messaging and lack of structured communication strategies. They affirmed that many awareness campaigns on social media are not tailored to the local context, making it difficult for users to fully understand and apply the safety guidelines provided.
The increasing dependence on social media in Nigeria has therefore created both opportunities and challenges in the area of cybersecurity awareness. While the platforms provide an efficient means of communication and education, they also expose users to a wide range of digital threats. This study is set against the backdrop of increasing cyber threats in Nigeria, the widespread use of social media platforms, and the growing need to understand how digital awareness campaigns influence user behavior in the context of cybersecurity.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok have become dominant communication tools in Nigeria, shaping how individuals access, share, and respond to information. While these platforms improve connectivity and fast information dissemination, they also expose users to increasing cybersecurity threats such as phishing, identity theft, fake links, online fraud, and misinformation campaigns (Chukwuemeka & Okoye, 2023). In many cases, users interact freely with digital content without adequate understanding of security risks, which makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks.
In Nigeria, cybersecurity awareness remains uneven across different social media user groups. Many users depend on informal information sources rather than structured cybersecurity education, which limits their ability to identify and respond to online threats effectively (Akinola & Musa, 2022). Social media platforms sometimes serve as both the source of awareness and the channel through which cyber threats spread, creating a complex digital environment where safety and risk coexist.
Furthermore, while some users are exposed to cybersecurity tips and warnings online, there is limited evidence that such exposure translates into actual behavioral change. Many individuals still reuse passwords, click unknown links, and share sensitive information without verification. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine the role of social media in promoting cybersecurity awareness in Nigeria, with a focus on Nigerian social media platforms.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to investigate the role of social media in promoting cybersecurity awareness in Nigeria using selected Nigerian social media platforms.
The specific objectives of the study are to:
- Examine the extent to which Nigerian social media platforms disseminate cybersecurity awareness information.
- Identify common cybersecurity threats experienced by social media users in Nigeria.
- Assess the effectiveness of cybersecurity awareness messages shared on social media platforms.
- Evaluate user perception of cybersecurity information shared through social media.
- Determine the relationship between social media usage and cybersecurity awareness among Nigerian users.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- To what extent do Nigerian social media platforms disseminate cybersecurity awareness information?
- What common cybersecurity threats are experienced by social media users in Nigeria?
- How effective are cybersecurity awareness messages shared on social media platforms?
- How do users perceive cybersecurity information shared through social media?
- What is the relationship between social media usage and cybersecurity awareness among Nigerian users?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant relationship between social media usage and cybersecurity awareness among Nigerian users.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between social media usage and cybersecurity awareness among Nigerian users.
Hypothesis 2
- H0: Cybersecurity awareness messages on social media do not significantly influence user behavior in Nigeria.
- H1: Cybersecurity awareness messages on social media significantly influence user behavior in Nigeria.
Hypothesis 3
- H0: Nigerian social media platforms do not significantly contribute to the dissemination of cybersecurity awareness information.
- H1: Nigerian social media platforms significantly contribute to the dissemination of cybersecurity awareness information.
1.7 Significance of Study
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will provide measurable data on how social media platforms contribute to cybersecurity awareness in Nigeria, especially among active users of Facebook, WhatsApp, and X platforms. Also, the findings will help social media users understand the risks associated with online interactions such as phishing and identity theft, improving their ability to identify suspicious activities.
Furthermore, the research will support cybersecurity agencies such as NITDA and the EFCC in improving awareness campaigns based on real user exposure patterns and platform effectiveness. In addition, the findings will assist educators and digital trainers in designing more effective cybersecurity awareness programs tailored to Nigerian social media users.
Lastly, the study will contribute to academic literature on cybersecurity awareness in developing countries, particularly in relation to social media influence in Nigeria.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of this research is focused on investigating the role of social media in promoting cybersecurity awareness in Lagos State, Nigeria, with particular reference to social media users across platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok within the state.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Social Media:
Social media refers to internet-based platforms that allow users to create, share, and exchange content in virtual communities and networks (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010). It includes platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, X, Instagram, and TikTok widely used in Nigeria for communication and information sharing.
Cybersecurity Awareness:
Cybersecurity awareness is the understanding of cyber threats and the adoption of safe online practices to protect digital identities and information systems from attacks (NIST, 2020). It involves knowledge of risks such as phishing, hacking, and identity theft.
Cybercrime:
Cybercrime refers to illegal activities conducted through digital systems or networks, including fraud, impersonation, and data theft (Wall, 2007). It has increased with the rise of social media usage in Nigeria.
Phishing:
Phishing is a cyberattack method where users are tricked into revealing sensitive information such as passwords or bank details through fake messages or websites (Hadnagy, 2018).
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