Behind the keypad lies power; Beyond it, you face consequences

By Matthew Ma

There was a time when speaking publicly required access to a newspaper, radio station, or television studio. Today, all you need is a smartphone, an internet connection, and the courage to post. With a few taps, an ordinary Nigerian can reach hundreds or even millions of people. A WhatsApp message can travel from Lagos to Kano in seconds, and a TikTok video filmed in a bedroom can become a national talking point overnight. A Facebook or X post can spark intense debate across the country before breakfast. This is the remarkable power technology puts at our fingertips. But we must remember that with power comes responsibility.

Sadly, many Nigerians use social media as if a keyboard shields them from the consequences of their words and actions. Behind a screen, they show unusual boldness: they insult strangers, spread rumors, expose private conversations, share unverified information, and damage reputations—often simply because they can. But a keyboard offers no real protection. Behind every WhatsApp profile, Facebook account, TikTok page, or X handle is a real person. The person who mocks online has feelings; the one accused has a family; and the person whose nude pictures are shared without consent has a right to dignity and privacy. What happens behind a screen does not always stay hidden.

Social media has undeniably contributed to Nigeria’s development. It has enabled citizens to spotlight injustices, raise funds for people in need, promote businesses, expose wrongdoing, mobilize volunteers, and bring attention to issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. Small businesses have connected with customers through platforms like Instagram and Facebook, while young Nigerians have built careers on TikTok, YouTube, and other digital platforms. Citizens have also used social media to hold institutions and public officials accountable. These are certainly positive developments.

However, the same platforms that amplify the truth have also magnified falsehoods. For example, on September 18, 2026, 19-year-old X (formerly Twitter) user Deriko was arrested and arraigned over a defamatory comment suggesting that Tony Elumelu’s wife had an affair with singer Chike. The incident began on August 19, 2026, when an X account shared a rumor that Chike had been involved with another person’s wife. Deriko replied to the thread, “Tony Elumelu’s wife? I have the full gist,” referring to Awele Vivien Elumelu, the wife of billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu. Deriko was in Kaduna and was arrested on either September 18 or 19, 2026. He was later arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos on September 24, 2026, on a single charge of cyber defamation under Section 24(2)(c)(ii) of the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, as amended in 2024. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded to Ikoyi Prison; his case was adjourned until November 9, 2026. After his detention and missing the National Diploma (ND) final exams, his mother, brother, and sister released public video apologies, asking Tony Elumelu for forgiveness and mercy.

Under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act of 2015, as amended in 2024, online defamation falls under “Cyberstalking” in Section 24. A person commits a criminal offense if they knowingly or intentionally send a false message through a computer system or network to damage someone’s reputation, disrupt public order, or threaten life. Upon conviction, the person may face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to N7,000,000 (Seven Million Naira); the court may impose both penalties. Accordingly, if Emmanuel Chidera Akwuobi (Deriko) is convicted, he could face up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of N7,000,000, or both. He will learn the hard way.

This is where our collective responsibility matters most. Too often, we see sensational messages in WhatsApp groups and forward them without a second thought. We come across a photograph without context and assume we know the whole story. We skim a headline without reading the article, then share our opinions. When someone accuses another person, hundreds pass judgment before any evidence is presented. Our usual justification is simple: “I only forwarded it.” But forwarding is still an action. If the information is inaccurate, those who share it become part of the chain spreading the falsehood.

One troubling feature of social media culture is how often cruelty is disguised as humor. A person’s mistake can quickly become a meme, and their appearance can become a target for ridicule. Private family matters turn into entertainment, while someone’s accent, disability, financial struggles, relationships, or personal misfortunes become the basis for online jokes. When criticized, people typically respond, “It’s just a joke; why take it personally?” But not every joke is harmless. Humor is not the same as humiliation: laughing with someone differs from laughing at them, and a clear line separates valid criticism from deliberately undermining another person’s dignity.

Nigerians are known for their humor, wit, and ability to find laughter even in difficult situations—qualities central to our social character. But humor should never excuse cruelty. The person trending right now may be someone’s child, parent, sibling, spouse, friend, or colleague. Above all, they are human. Before joining an online mob, ask yourself: If this were my brother, sister, child, or parent, would I still find it amusing? Taking a moment to reflect could help prevent unnecessary humiliation. The impact of our careless digital culture is nowhere more evident than on WhatsApp. Many Nigerians belong to numerous groups—family, church, professional, school, neighborhood, alumni, and community associations. These groups can be incredibly beneficial, strengthening family connections and enabling communities to share information quickly. However, they can also become fertile ground for misinformation.

Each morning, we often receive messages that start with “Please share urgently,” followed by a dramatic claim. They may include false alerts about alleged security threats, fabricated government announcements, misleading health claims, fake scholarship offers, or distorted stories about public figures. Because these messages come from “someone we know,” we may assume they are true—a risky mistake. Knowing who shared the information doesn’t guarantee it is accurate or trustworthy. Pause and assess the information carefully before sharing. Start with a few key questions: Who provided it first? Are they known to be reliable and truthful? Where did the information come from? Is it based on verified facts or conjecture? Have recognized authorities or experts in the field confirmed it? Have reputable news organizations reported the story? Are the visuals relevant to the event and an accurate representation of what is being reported? Could sharing it cause unnecessary panic, spread misinformation, or prompt harmful actions? Taking a few extra moments to verify the facts can prevent significant confusion and misunderstandings later.

Social media has fostered a troubling culture in which allegations are sometimes treated as verdicts. When someone alleges that another person stole money, behaved badly, committed an offense, or acted dishonestly, calls for punishment can follow quickly. But an allegation is not necessarily a fact. Rushing to condemn people online can have serious consequences: they may lose their jobs, miss business opportunities, damage personal relationships, or lose public trust over claims that have not been thoroughly substantiated. This does not mean people should ignore wrongdoing. People must be able to speak up about injustice and hold others accountable, and victims should have the right to seek help and bring genuine misconduct to light. Still, accountability should not come at the expense of fairness. We must distinguish between raising a concern, presenting evidence, and holding an online trial. Social media audiences should not assume the roles of judge, jury, and executioner.

One important lesson Nigerians need to understand is that private conversations do not automatically become public property. It has become increasingly common for people to screenshot WhatsApp chats and post them online whenever they disagree with someone. While there may be valid public-interest reasons to reveal certain conversations, people more often share screenshots to embarrass others or “win” an argument. Once a screenshot leaves its original context, the person who shared it loses control. Others can easily repost, download, edit, and circulate it indefinitely. A disagreement that could have been resolved privately between two people can quickly become entertainment for thousands. Before publishing a private conversation, we should carefully consider whether there is a genuine public need to share it or whether we are simply reacting out of anger. After all, anger is a poor editor.

Young Nigerians, in particular, need to understand that the internet has a long memory. A person may delete a tweet, Facebook post, TikTok video, or WhatsApp status after realizing it was inappropriate, but someone may already have taken a screenshot or downloaded it. An impulsive post made at 2 a.m. could resurface years later. A young person who insults someone today might find themselves in a professional role tomorrow. Likewise, someone who shares an offensive video may one day seek employment, admission to an institution, public office, or professional recognition. This is why social media should not be treated as a space where good judgment can be temporarily suspended. Our digital footprints can follow us throughout our lives. Freedom of expression is not freedom from consequences.

People often cite “freedom of speech” when calling for responsible online behavior. Nigerians have the right to express their views, and open debate is vital to a thriving democracy. Citizens must be free to criticize government policies, question institutions, challenge public figures, and discuss issues of public interest. However, freedom of expression does not make every statement responsible or shield all speech from consequences. We can disagree without insulting one another, criticize without defaming others, and ask questions without humiliating anyone. We can expose wrongdoing without making false allegations and debate passionately while remembering that there is another human being on the other side of the screen. Just because we can say something does not mean we should say it the way we’ve chosen. We need digital discipline. Nigeria needs more than more internet users; it needs a community of responsible users. Digital literacy should go beyond basic skills like opening a social media account, creating a video, or sending a message. It should also include verifying information, spotting manipulation, protecting privacy, and understanding the consequences of our online actions.

 Rev. Ma, S.J., is a Jesuit priest and public policy analyst. He currently writes from Abuja, Nigeria.