Nigeria’s conservative cultural and religious background has not prevented the country from being hit by the sexting epidemic, a new study has revealed.
According to the study, a staggering 58 per cent of social media users in Nigeria engage in sexting, which involves sharing explicit content of oneself or others via digital devices and communication channels.
The study, which was published in Computers in Human Behaviour, found that more than 41 per cent of respondents admitted forwarding or having another forward sexted images or messages without the victims’ consent, increasing the risk of cyberbullying and subsequent mental health problems.
The researchers, who surveyed 700 Nigerian social media users, also found a strong correlation between sexting and depression, with men who engage in sexting exhibiting higher depression levels than women.
The study entitled “Hidden desires, echoed distress: Dissecting Nigeria’s sexting landscape and its ties to depression” showed notable gender differences in sexting and depression among 700 Nigerian social media users.
The researchers, with the help of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Sexting Behaviours and Motives Questionnaire, found that 58 per cent of respondents engaged in sexting, a high percentage given the cultural conservatism of Nigeria.
The study’s findings are particularly significant in Nigeria, where there have been several disturbing cases of leaked sexting, leading to depression and even suicide in some cases.
Experts warned that the sexting epidemic in Nigeria requires urgent attention, particularly in terms of developing strategies to address digital privacy, security, and mental well-being.
They also emphasized the need for parents, educators, and policymakers to take proactive steps to educate young people about the dangers of sexting and how to protect themselves online.
The researchers added, “People engage in sexting for various reasons. For example, many people use sexting to foster feelings of closeness and bonding in their relationships, while other individuals engage in sexting as a form of sexual exploration, allowing them to express their desires and fantasies. Sometimes, sexting can also be a way to seek attention and validation from others.
“Nigeria has a relative prominence in the discourse about sexting within the African context. This has become rampant, as recently there have been very disturbing cases of leaked sexting, which has not only led to depression but even suicide in some cases.”
