Pinocchio looking down onto a blank sheet of paper.
It has been observed that some college students engage in occasional lying to various individuals in their lives, including parents, peers, faculty/staff, and campus counselors. However, a consistent pattern of dishonesty may indicate deeper emotional or mental health issues. A study published in the journal Psychiatric Quarterly in 2019 revealed that 18.1% of college students admitted to lying on a daily basis. These individuals reported lower academic performance, diminished quality of life, and self-esteem, and acknowledged the negative impact of their lies on their social and personal domains.
While much of the discourse around students who lie focuses on supportive responses, it is important for those who care for and support college students to be aware of common methods of deception employed by students.
Deceptive Apps as Indicators of Dishonesty
Although the use of deceptive apps is typically associated with adolescents living at home, college students also frequently utilize decoy and vault apps, signaling potential concerns. A 2019 report on APnews.com highlighted a college student developing a decoy app for drug sales.
Many students visiting campus counseling centers express concerns about decoy and vault apps, with fake calculator apps being a popular choice. According to a report on Security.org, certain fake calculator apps function as normal calculators until a specific passcode is entered, revealing hidden apps. It is conceivable that students may use these apps to conceal activities related to gambling, illicit behavior, or cyberbullying. A 2024 report on Parentaler.com outlined a method to detect fake calculator apps, suggesting that apps larger than 10MB are likely decoys.
Vault apps are used to store and conceal sensitive data such as private photos and messages. A telltale sign of vault app usage is when common apps like Facebook Messenger prompt for a passcode. Additionally, other deceptive apps provide false information, such as spoof location apps that allow students to alter their GPS coordinates. A Forbes.com report in 2024 also detailed the use of mock locations on Android devices.
While there may be legitimate reasons for students to use deceptive apps, most smartphones come equipped with standard security features, and many students live independently. Therefore, the reliance on deceptive apps could indicate an intentional effort to hide significant issues.
Statements with Low Falsifiability as Red Flags for Deception
A report from Indiana University Bloomington in 2021 discussed falsifiability as a philosophical concept, highlighting that statements with high falsifiability are more likely to be true than those with low falsifiability. For instance, students are less inclined to lie about their grades if their parents have access to their academic records, as these claims can be easily disproven.
While trust is crucial in relationships, truth-tellers typically make statements that can be verified. Therefore, a potential indicator of dishonesty is when students consistently make statements that cannot be proven false. In a 2018 article on Hercampus.com, students shared excuses for not returning home during spring break with low falsifiability, such as focusing on academics, which are difficult for parents to disprove. Relying solely on trust without the ability to verify statements is unnatural.
Distance Language as a Telltale Sign of Deceit
A 2023 Psychology Today report discussed how many emerging adults, due to their developmental stage, exhibit self-focused behavior, using first-person pronouns and discussing experiences from their perspective. Conversely, distancing language, characterized by third-person pronouns and a focus on external viewpoints, could indicate a departure from a student’s typical communication style and potentially signify dishonesty. Detecting distance language requires a nuanced approach. An article on Forbes.com in 2023 offered additional insights on detecting deception.
In a seminal study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence in 2004, 82% of high school and college students admitted to lying to their parents about a significant issue in the past year. While occasional dishonesty is common among students, a consistent pattern of deceit often indicates more profound issues. It is essential to identify and address frequent lying among students to promote mental health and well-being.
