Formation of Information Security Culture among Schoolchildren in a Digital Educational Environment

Abstract

This paper examines adolescents’ dependence on social networks in the digital environment, which represents a serious problem in modern society, as well as their low level of critical information analysis skills. The tendency toward cyberbullying, hacker attacks, and the unauthorized disclosure of personal information has become increasingly widespread in the context of information security risks. Despite the rapid development of technologies that provide access to information in modern society, they do not prevent the younger generation from being exposed to various cyber threats on social networks and from the influence of harmful content. In the course of the research, a variety of methods were used to assess the information literacy of schoolchildren. Through theoretical analysis, the information culture of schoolchildren and their behavior in the social environment were examined from a psychological perspective. In addition, methods such as psychological diagnostics, pedagogical testing, observation, modeling, and mathematical data processing were applied. During the study, it was observed that the information literacy of schoolchildren changes dynamically under the influence of various factors.

The social environment and family values have a direct impact on this process. The results of the study conducted among schoolchildren showed that the majority of them are dependent on social networks, which leads to a decrease in their learning activity. In order to develop students’ information literacy, methodological guidelines, educational programs, and training modules were proposed. Examples of social media content analysis were also provided. This research is a comprehensive theoretical study of schoolchildren’s information literacy. It focuses on students’ ability to act independently in the information space, master cybersecurity principles, and demonstrate literacy in the context of digital transformation. The findings and recommendations of the study can be applied in general education schools, supplementary education institutions, and colleges.