Counselling: An Antidote in Minimizing Online Corrupt Practices among Students in Nigerian Schools

Abstract

This paper examines the pressing issues of corrupt online practices among students in Nigeria, propelled by the rapid expansion of digital technologies. Students frequently engage in unethical behaviors, including plagiarism, unauthorised resource use during exams, harassment, and data manipulation, influenced by factors such as academic pressure, the accessibility of online resources, and the impact of social media. Recognizing the urgent need for intervention, this study proposes counselling as a pivotal strategy to address these challenges. The integration of counselling programs is essential to bridge the gap between technological advancements and ethical conduct, cultivating a deeper understanding of digital ethics. The influence of social media and online communities exacerbates the complexity of the issue, creating a culture that normalizes unethical behavior. Counselling interventions are positioned as disruptors, aiming to instill individual responsibility, ethical decision-making, and awareness of the consequences associated with corrupt online practices. By addressing the multifaceted nature of the problem, counselling programmes can serve as a comprehensive approach to mitigate corrupt online behaviors. The paper emphasizes the importance of evaluating and implementing counselling strategies tailored to the unique context of Nigeria, addressing root causes such as academic pressure and a lack of digital ethics education. As a conceptual exploration, this study contributes to the academic discourse on ethical considerations in the digital age, offering insights into potential avenues for fostering informed and ethical digital citizens within the Nigerian educational landscape.