EFCC chairman warns youths: Stop presenting fake life online

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has cautioned students and youths across the country against yielding to destructive peer pressures.

Olukoyede gave the advice while speaking at Glisten International Academy in Abuja, which hosted its Technology Week with the theme, “Building a Safe and Inclusive Digital Space”, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

Speaking on the topic, “Peer Pressure and Fake Life: A Recipe for Cybercrime,” the EFCC boss who was represented by the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the Commission, Aisha Muhammed, described peer pressure “as an influence exerted by a group of individuals, usually of similar age, status or interests to make others conform to their attitudes, behaviours or values.”

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Peer pressure he further said could be subtle or overt, negative or positive but in all, it is capable of affecting the recipient’s beliefs, choices and actions.

While positive peer pressure encourages good habits and new positive experiences that conform with good morals and values, negative peer pressure, he said, pushes for risky, destructive behaviours such as encouraging other youths to try out consumption of harmful substances such as drugs and alcohol or engage in internet crimes or in sexual activities; skip school attendance or engage in other delinquent behaviours such as stepping out in inappropriate clothes.

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Olukoyede urged the students to recognise and manage peer pressure properly by noting when such promptings conflict with good morals and their well-being and urged teachers and parents to be helpful in this regard.

The EFCC chairman said: “Be authentic, avoid presenting fake life online. Be true to yourself and don’t feel pressured to exaggerate or misrepresent your life.

“Set boundaries and be cautious about what you share online and with whom you interact. Educate yourself and stay informed about online threats and best practices for suspicious activities.

“I want you to know that your future starts today. Future is not what is waiting ahead without any conscious effort. The cumulative effort of today is what translates into the future. Therefore, focus your attention on what you do today because your future starts now.”

The Principal of the school, Charles Eneh, thanked the EFCC for the visit and enlightenment of the students on managing the challenges of adolescence.

The Star