The Founder of Digital Business Nigeria, Mr Temitope Orilua has called on parents and educators to monitor their wards’ online behavior.
Orilua made the call in an interview on Thursday in Jos.
He said that parents and educators should engage more in open discussions with youth about online safety.
The expert said that it could be done by monitoring their online activities without invading their privacy, and teaching them about the consequences of cybercrimes.
According to him, parents can invest in parental control tools or apps that foster a supportive environment.
He said that implementing robust educational programmes in schools and communities about digital ethics and cyber laws, creating mentorship and skill-building programmes to channel youths’ energy positively, could help in curbing the menace.
Orilua said strengthening cyber security education in schools and fostering partnerships between tech companies and educational institutions to offer apprenticeships would also be helpful.
The founder said that there were many online businesses that could teach and employ youths to make money within the comfort of their homes.
He said the youths should be made to see the benefits of safe online use so as to stay away from the negatives and the crimes.
“When the youths are gainfully engaged, they won’t have the time to be committing crimes that could cost them their freedom or life, “he said.
Orilua said that as a Tech-preneur, his digital assets had been attacked twice by young boys in different places around the world.
“I saw it more as a blessing because in most cases, the attacker will point out flaws in your system and you will be able to work on it.
“In some cases, you will be asked to pay but in some cases, they will just explain to you how you can better protect your system by showing you the loophole they used to attack you,” Orilua explained.
He said that young people could be drawn to cybercrime as a result of unemployment, lack of formal education or skill development opportunities, financial difficulties, and the allure of quick money.
He urged educators and parents to provide enabling environment for young people to exercise their skills online.
