DOI: https://doi.org/10.63345/ijre.v14.i7.5
Er Vikhyat Gupta
Independent Researcher
Chandigarh University
Punjab, India
Abstract
Cybersecurity awareness within educational technology (EdTech) environments is critically important for safeguarding teenagers against a broad spectrum of online threats, including phishing attacks, malware infiltration, identity theft, and unauthorized data harvesting. Teenagers constitute a particularly vulnerable demographic due to their extensive engagement with digital learning platforms and relative inexperience with security best practices. This manuscript presents a comprehensive investigation into the state of cybersecurity awareness among secondary‑school students aged 13–18 who regularly use EdTech applications. Employing a mixed‑methods design, we first administered a validated Cyber Awareness Questionnaire (CAQ) and conducted simulated phishing exercises to establish baseline knowledge and behaviors. Subsequently, we implemented an interactive, two‑hour educational intervention integrating scenario‑based discussions, hands‑on exercises, and gamified assessments. Post‑intervention assessments revealed a marked improvement in awareness scores—from a pre‑intervention average of 54% to 78%—and a substantial reduction in phishing click‑through rates (from 42% to 18%). Qualitative focus‑group feedback highlighted increased confidence in identifying suspicious links, stronger password management, and a desire for ongoing, curriculum‑embedded cybersecurity modules. These findings underscore the transformative potential of targeted cybersecurity education within EdTech settings. Recommendations include the integration of adaptive learning tools to personalize instruction, longitudinal reinforcement through periodic refreshers, and collaborative frameworks engaging parents, educators, and policymakers. This research establishes a scalable model for elevating digital resilience among teenage users and lays the groundwork for future studies examining long‑term retention and cross‑cultural applicability.
Keywords
Cybersecurity Awareness, EdTech, Teenagers, Data Privacy, Educational Intervention
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