Exploring the Role of Family and School Control in Preventing Cyber Delinquency in Ghana.

• In Event: Cyberdeviance & Online Delinquency

Abstract

This study was conducted in two middle schools in Ghana to understand the impact of family and school control on cyber delinquency. The research involved interviewing 50 participants, including students, teachers, and parents. The findings revealed that schools are crucial in preventing cyber delinquent acts by prohibiting electrical gadgets on school premises. However, parents struggle to effectively control and monitor their children's internet activities, leading to exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, hacking, and cyber fraud. Teachers expressed concerns about parental monitoring and how some students outsmart less tech-savvy parents by hiding their online activities. Students also spend significant time on social media platforms, increasing their exposure to potential cyber delinquency. Despite these challenges, some students hold strong moral convictions against participating in cyber delinquency, viewing it as a transgression against religious values or societal norms. Others recognize the legal consequences associated with such behaviors. The study highlights the theoretical applicability of social bonding theory in Ghana, suggesting that commitment and engagement, such as weekend online assignments, can mitigate risks by keeping students engaged during leisure hours. The study emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts between families and schools to foster safe and healthy digital practices among young people.

Author

• Zariatu Ibrahim, The Chinese University of Hong Kong