DIGITAL RIGHTS ADVOCACY IN THE DIGITAL AGE: LEGAL LIMITS OF PRANK CONTENT

Abstract

The proliferation of fear-inducing prank content on social media presents a pressing challenge at the intersection of digital rights, public safety, and human dignity. This article advances a doctrinal thesis that pranks deliberately designed to create reasonable apprehension of imminent harm constitute a misuse of freedom of expression and fall outside constitutional protection under Nigerian law. Adopting a doctrinal methodology, the article examines the limits of online expression within the framework of Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, the Criminal Code Act, and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015. It argues that such conduct is already actionable under existing criminal and civil law principles, including assault, public nuisance, and intentional infliction of emotional harm, but requires clearer judicial articulation. Drawing on comparative jurisprudence and relevant digital rights scholarship, the article proposes a structured analytical framework based on intentional deception, reasonable apprehension of harm, and public dissemination. It concludes by recommending doctrinal clarification, digital literacy, and platform accountability as mechanisms for balancing internet freedom with the protection of human dignity and public order.