Digital literacy and sextortion deterrence : librarians’ intervention for navigating online risks

The paper investigated the impact of digital literacy on sextortion among students, with a focus on the role of librarians in mitigating the same. The quantitative research method was used for the study, while the descriptive survey research design was deployed for it, and data was collected through an online questionnaire. The study population comprised 376 students at the University of Ibadan across strata of both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were deployed in the data analyses. Findings from the study revealed a high level of awareness of sextortion among students, which is largely driven by social media. However, a notable gap in understanding the associated risks and preventive measures was discovered. Also, the findings revealed that sextortion experiences are significantly associated with age, as participants aged 22 and below are most vulnerable. Although most participants acknowledge the roles of librarians in educating them about sextortion, just a few have the knowledge on how to prevent it. This study recommends that librarians should adopt multi-faceted strategies by combining digital safety training, counselling, support services, awareness campaigns and collaborating with professionals to enhance students’ digital resilience and reduce the risk of sextortion.