Yahoo-Yahoo to Tech Bros: Cybercrime, Hustle Culture, and Moral Disengagement Among Cross River State Under-30s in the Digital Economy

This study examined cybercrime-related factors and youths’ attitudes toward cybercrime and digital entrepreneurship in Cross River State, Nigeria, with a focus on the transition from Yahoo- Yahoo culture to Tech Bro culture within the digital economy. The study sought to determine the influence of economic strain, hustle culture, social media influence, and moral disengagement on youths’ attitudes toward cybercrime and digital entrepreneurship. Existing literature were reviewed based on the subject under study. The study was anchored on strain theory, which posits that individuals may resort to unconventional means of achieving socially approved goals when legitimate opportunities are limited. A survey research design was adopted. The study targeted youths aged 18–30 years across the three senatorial districts of Cross River State. Using a multistage sampling procedure, a sample size of 400 respondents was selected, while 392 valid questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that economic strain, hustle culture, social media influence, and moral disengagement significantly influenced youths’ attitudes toward cybercrime and digital entrepreneurship. It was concluded that cybercrime and digital entrepreneurship are competing responses to socio-economic pressures and opportunities within the digital economy. Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, it was recommended amongst others that: Government agencies should strengthen youth employment and digital entrepreneurship programmes to reduce economic pressures that encourage cybercrime.

Keywords: Cybercrime, Yahoo-Yahoo, Tech Bro Culture, Digital Entrepreneurship, Hustle Culture, Moral Disengagement, Youths