Media literacy competencies and online fraud awareness: A study of social media users at Kwara State University

Abstract

The rise of social media and digital communication has created new opportunities for students, but it has also made them more vulnerable to different forms of online fraud. This study explored how students’ media literacy skills relate to their awareness of online fraud at Kwara State University. The research used a descriptive survey design, and 392 students were selected through stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire measured four media literacy components access, analysis, evaluation and content creation alongside students’ knowledge of common online fraud practices. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise responses, while the Pearson Product–Moment Correlation was applied to determine the relationship between the key variables. The results showed that although students were generally confident in accessing digital information, many had only moderate
capabilities in analysing or evaluating the credibility of online content. Awareness of fraud tactics such as phishing, fake social media profiles and scam messages was relatively high, yet only a small proportion of students had reported fraud incidents or admitted to personally losing money. The correlation test revealed a moderate but significant positive relationship between media literacy and fraud awareness (r = .460, p < 0.01), suggesting that students with stronger media literacy skills are better equipped to detect and manage online fraud risks. The study highlights the importance of strengthening media literacy within the university environment. It recommends incorporating structured media literacy training into academic programmes and expanding digital safety and cybersecurity awareness campaigns for students.