Digital Age Research Articles

Cluster profiles of high school students in cyber bullying, cyber victimization, aggression, and coping

Cyberbullying has become a significant concern, particularly among teenagers, due to the advancement of digital technologies. This study aims to identify the cluster profiles as well as the role of gender, time spent on networking and age on these clusters. This study employed a self-administered survey to investigate cyberbullying among 812 adolescents attending public and private high schools in Selangor, Malaysia. The quantitative data was obtained using validated measures of cyberbullying and cybervictimization scale, coping strategies, and aggression. Data analysis used in this research were two-stage cluster analysis and chi-square statistics. The findings revealed that these teenagers can be categorized into three distinct cluster profiles namely highly cybervictimization, aggressive and depressive; low cyber victimization, aggression, depression and coping; and lower scores in cyber victimization, aggression, depression and higher scores in coping. Unlike previous studies, cluster profiles revealed no substantial correlation with gender. Instead, this study found that cluster patterns were linked to demographic factors, such as age groups. This study also highlights the correlation between cluster profiles and the utilization of social media in the dynamics of cyberbullying. Teens in Cluster 1, who devoted more than four hours per day to social media, experienced the greatest influence of cyberbullying, highlighting the significance of their online environment. This study sheds light on the issue of cyberbullying among Malaysian adolescents and highlights its intricate nature. To foster safer online environments for teenagers in the digital age, educational institutions, parents, and governments can develop specific efforts that identify cluster profiles and demographic factors.

CONTRATOS E ASSINATURAS DIGITAIS – VALIDADE, CONFECÇÃO E JURISPRUDÊNCIA

This article presents an evolutionary analysis of contracts, from the rigidity of Roman Law to the flexibility and complexity of contractual relationships in the digital age. The research addresses the importance of the digital signature as a tool to guarantee the authenticity, integrity, and legal validity of electronic contracts. The concepts of electronic, digitized, and digital signatures are explored, as well as the Brazilian legislation that regulates this practice. The relevant Brazilian legislation, especially Law 14.063/2020, is analyzed to verify how it regulates and validates digital signatures, highlighting any gaps or challenges that may still compromise legal security. To clarify the differences between types of signatures, the text details three types: electronic, digitized, and digital, explaining the particularities of each and the authentication methods, with emphasis on the ICP-Brazil certification system. The Brazilian Public Key Infrastructure (ICP-Brasil) is detailed as a fundamental system for the security of digital transactions. In addition, the different modalities of electronic contracts, the tools available for digital signatures are discussed, including presenting free digital signature tools made available by the Brazilian government and the challenges related to the security and legal validity of these documents. It is concluded that the digital signature represents a significant advance in the formalization of contracts, providing greater security, agility, and efficiency in legal relationships.

Investigating the Factors Affecting Customer Trust in E-Commerce

In the rapidly evolving landscape of e-commerce, the foundation of customer trust has emerged as a critical determinant of success for online businesses. This article delves into the multifaceted nature of trust in e-commerce, identifying and analyzing key factors that influence consumer confidence and loyalty. Through a comprehensive examination, we highlight the importance of website design and usability, security measures, customer reviews and testimonials, customer service and support, and the impact of brand reputation and influencer endorsements. The discussion extends to actionable strategies for e-commerce businesses to build and maintain customer trust, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and adaptation to changing consumer expectations and technological advancements. Real-life case studies provide insights into successful and unsuccessful attempts to foster trust online, underscoring the lessons learned. The article concludes by reflecting on the dynamic nature of trust in e-commerce, urging businesses to stay vigilant and proactive in creating a trustworthy shopping environment. This analysis serves as a valuable resource for e-commerce businesses aiming to navigate the complexities of building trust in the digital age.

Managing Information Overload in a Pandemic: Influence of Social Media on Vaccine Attitudes in the Digital Age

Purpose: This study examined how social media influences public health decisions, focusing on how information overload during a pandemic impacts vaccine hesitancy and acceptance across demographics. It analyzed conflicting vaccine information to understand social media's role in shaping attitudes and identify strategies to mitigate its negative effects. Methodology: This study employed a multi-stage sampling method to gather data from diverse age groups, education levels, and occupations. This approach combines various techniques at different stages, making it suitable for large, geographically dispersed populations. By segmenting the population into manageable units, multi-stage sampling improves the accuracy, reliability, and representativeness of the data collected. Findings: The findings reveal that most respondents consider vaccine information on social media unreliable, underscoring the need for greater trust in online discussions. Many feel overwhelmed by conflicting messages, highlighting the necessity for clearer communication. Social media significantly shapes attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines, with many shifting views after engaging with online content. Additionally, participants report mental health impacts from the constant stream of vaccine information, illustrating information overload. Unique Contributions to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study advances the information overload model by illustrating how excessive and conflicting vaccine information on social media disrupts comprehension and harms mental health. It emphasizes social media's role in shaping health attitudes and advocates for interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate psychological resilience into public health strategies. Findings highlight the need for regulations against misinformation to improve the credibility of online health information and promote trusted sources, particularly verified health organizations. The study also calls for health literacy initiatives to empower the public in navigating misinformation and suggests strategies for managing information overload through social media disengagement. Targeted initiatives that leverage trusted information sources can effectively combat vaccine hesitancy and boost community engagement in public health campaigns, ultimately improving health outcomes.

Application of Fuzzy - AHP - Topsis Model Integration to Select Green C2C Websites in Online Shopping

In today's digital age, online shopping has become an indispensable part of daily life. The strong development of e-commerce platforms helps consumers easily search and choose products from around the world with just a few clicks. Making purchasing decisions is not simple when buyers have to consider many factors such as price, quality, brand and many other factors. To support smart consumers in shopping, the study applied the Fuzzy - AHP - Topsis integrated model to evaluate purchasing criteria on 4 popular C2C websites: Shopee, Tiki, Lazada and Sendo.

Book review: Kwok, Virginia H. Y. (2023). <i>Language learning in the digital age: YouTube and learners of English as a foreign language</i>. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

YouTube has gained global popularity for language education, especially among young language learners in informal contexts. Language Learning in the Digital Age: YouTube and Learners of English as a Foreign Language by Virginia H. Y. Kwok explores how university students in Hong Kong use YouTube to enhance their English language proficiency outside formal classroom settings. Through a qualitative, case study approach, the author delves into diverse ways students navigate and personalise their language learning opportunities on YouTube. This paper reviews the book, focusing on how the book provides a nuanced understanding of student engagement with YouTube and its role in facilitating autonomous and self-directed language learning.

Leveraging ChatGPT for Second Language Writing Feedback and Assessment

This paper discusses the increasingly prominent role of ChatGPT in providing feedback and assessment for L2 writing in the digital age. It reviews representative studies that address five research strands about the use of ChatGPT in L2 writing contexts. After a critical evaluation of the existing literature, the author extensively explains four innovative sub-topics on leveraging ChatGPT for L2 writing feedback and assessment, drawing on multiple creative projects undertaken by her research team. These include: 1) ChatGPT-student collaboration in the L2 writing process; 2) ChatGPT-supported teacher feedback; 3) collaborative processing of ChatGPT feedback; and 4) the potential of ChatGPT for L2 writing assessment. This paper also addresses the importance of teacher training on the use of GenAI in language and writing instruction.

Recoding America: Why Government is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better

Recoding America: Why Government is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better

Critical approach for drafting scientific paper procedures & practice

In today's informative age, producing a well-structured scientific paper is critical for ensuring that research is read, well understood, and valued. This work focuses on the key components of a modern scientific article, providing practical advice on structure, writing, and formatting in the classical IMRAD style (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion). By following this methodology and resolving frequent issues, researchers can create clear and impactful papers that stand out in a academic orbit. Target writing for a scientific paper: When you begin writing about your research, begin with a specific target journal in mind. The ability to accurately describe ideas, protocols/procedures, and outcomes are the pillars of scientific writing.

Personal Data in the Digital Age - Technosophy and Information Law

Personal Data in the Digital Age - Technosophy and Information Law

Associations between parental involvement and externalizing problem behaviors among Chinese rural adolescents in the digital age

Associations between parental involvement and externalizing problem behaviors among Chinese rural adolescents in the digital age

OMNICHANNEL MARKETING STRATEGY ON SHRIMP AMPLANG SHOPPING EXPERIENCE IN THE DIGITAL AGE WITH CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT AS A MEDIATING VARIABLE

Rapid digital transformation has revolutionized consumer behavior, yet research on omnichannel strategies for traditional local products is limited. This study investigates the impact of omnichannel marketing strategies on the shopping experience of Amplang Udang, a popular shrimp cracker from Riau, Indonesia, with consumer engagement as a mediating variable. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected from 100 respondents through an online survey and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results showed a significant positive relationship between omnichannel marketing strategy and shopping experience (β=0.42, p<0.001). Consumer engagement partially mediates this relationship, with the indirect effect accounting for 38% of the total effect. This study contributes to the understanding of omnichannel effectiveness for local products in the digital age and provides practical insights for small-scale food manufacturers. It is concluded that the integration of online and offline channels, coupled with strategies to increase consumer engagement, can significantly improve the shopping experience of traditional products such as Amplang Udang in an increasingly digitalized marketplace.

Analyzing the impact of viral marketing on brand equity dimensions in Egypt’s home appliances sector: A customer and legal perspective

In the digital age, viral marketing has emerged as a key driver in shaping brand equity, particularly in the highly competitive Egyptian home appliances sector. Traditional marketing strategies have proven insufficient in reaching consumers with the same efficacy as viral campaigns, which leverage digital platforms and consumer networks. This study examines the influence of viral marketing on brand equity dimensions – brand awareness, perceived quality, brand loyalty, and brand association – through the lens of both customer perception and legal frameworks Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 270 respondents across 389 companies, with a response rate of approximately 70% of the total population in Egypt’s home appliances sector, with simple linear regression analysis employed to assess the relationships. The results indicate a strong positive effect of viral marketing on brand equity. Specifically, viral marketing accounts for 27.2% of the variance in brand awareness (R² = 0.272, p < 0.001), 28.1% in perceived quality (R² = 0.281, p < 0.01), 13.6% in brand loyalty (R² = 0.136, p < 0.05), and 40.9% in brand association (R² = 0.409, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the study finds that regulatory compliance plays a moderating role, ensuring that viral marketing campaigns remain within ethical and legal bounds, thereby enhancing consumer trust and the long-term impact of marketing efforts.These findings highlight the strategic value of integrating viral marketing with a firm understanding of legal frameworks to optimize brand equity in Egypt’s home appliances industry. This research provides actionable insights for brand managers and marketers looking to maximize the efficacy of their viral campaigns while maintaining brand integrity. AcknowledgmentThe authors are thankful to the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at University of Bisha for supporting this work through the Fast-Track Research Support Program.

Need for ICT adoption in the teaching of Christian religious education at the basic education level in Nigeria

The acquisition of essential skills and knowledge is considered a primary aim of education to effectively navigate and succeed in various aspects of life. In modern times, the role involves proactive engagement in a society that is rich in information, where knowledge is considered the primary driver for the socio-cultural and politico-economic progress of nations. The teaching and learning of religious education has not fully utilized the abundant resources available in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) era, owing to several limitations. This study analyzed the current status of religious education during this era, as well as the factors that facilitate, inhibit or hinder the integration of ICT in Nigerian basic education level. The research provides recommendations for the effective integration of ICT initiatives in the teaching of Christian religious education within Nigerian basic education level in the contemporary era. The study employed quasi-experimental design. The research suggests that it would be beneficial for Nigerian basic education level to be equipped with contemporary computer laboratories by the appropriate authorities, for the benefit of both basic education level students and teachers.

Entrepreneurial Leadership Development in the Digital Age

During the second half of the 21st century, academia has presented different studies to conceptualize entrepreneurial leadership without academic consensus.Although leadership and entrepreneurship are distinct, the literature has come to understand their similarities (Harrison et al., 2020). Despite the large number of publications, the characteristics of a leader should be based on an entrepreneurial profile, mainly to gain competitive differentiation for companies through the productivity of their human capital (Addy et al., 2024). Over the last century, the business world has undergone several transformations intrinsically linked to innovations and developments in Information and Communication Technologies. Over the last few decades, the installed business park has changed in computerization and automation, making it necessary to equip human resources with ICT-related tools and knowledge. This and several generations cooperating in companies have brought new challenges to leadership (Figueiredo and Joaquim, 2023). However, in contemporary times, the business sector has to acknowledge the challenges inherent in meeting ESG indicators to respond to the SDGs, forcing leaders to equip themselves with entrepreneurial skills to involve, motivate, and create strategies for promoting innovation and retaining talent (Addy et al., 2024). According to Omeihe et al. (2023), “the role of entrepreneurial leadership in enhancing positive business outcomes” (2023, p. 1), but the authors also acknowledge that leaders should embrace several attributes and skills to implement this new leadership perspective. The entrepreneur concept has gained new topics to discuss and internalize, including ICT and the sustainable domains paradigms regarding the ESG indicators and the SDG goals. This article aims to understand the challenges and competencies needed to conceptualize entrepreneurial leadership by critically reviewing the existing literature and linking it to the inherent needs of ESG and SDG goals; it seems to be the only way to understand and internalize the processes and procedures involved in entrepreneurial leadership in the digital age.

The Reality and Practical Pathways of Enhancing College Students' Internet Literacy

In the Internet era, internet literacy is not only a new mission endowed to college students by contemporary social development but also fulfills the inherent needs for personal growth and progress. The cultivation and enhancement of college students' internet literacy in the new era is not only linked to the construction of network power and the effectiveness of the fundamental task of running schools with moral education; it is also a necessary path to promoting students' comprehensive development. However, there are still some deficiencies in the internet literacy of college students at present, which need to be addressed and improved urgently. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on the practical difficulties and optimization paths for enhancing college students' internet literacy, guiding them to become practitioners, promoters, pioneers, and defenders of a clear network space.

Global Disinformation Campaigns and International Law: Analyzing the Cases of Lisa and Confederation to Navigate the Complexities of Balancing Human Rights and National Security

In the digital age, global disinformation campaigns are becoming a fundamental challenge that accompanies almost every conflict in international relations. The widespread adoption and development of such operations, especially those utilizing generative artificial intelligence, is inevitable. The article defines disinformation and locates it in the grid of near concepts. The author presents the ongoing conflict between the conduct of international actors and human rights, considering disinformation from the perspective of its adverse effects seen in their direct and indirect dimensions – through the consequences of the need to protect the national security of the targeted actors. Possible classification of the conduct of disinformation campaigns within the framework of public international law is also described and evaluated.

Understanding the Interconnected Dynamics of Social Media Marketing, Consumer Engagement, and Brand Equity: A Conceptual Framework

In today’s digital age, social media’s vast reach and direct consumer interactions make it pivotal for marketers. However, research linking specific social media marketing (SMM) elements to brand-related outcomes remains limited. This study, grounded in the Stimulus-Organism-Response model and Uses and Gratification Theory, explores how SMM elements impact consumer–brand engagement (CBE) across cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions, considering varying consumer trust levels. The study also proposes a relationship between CBE and brand equity, offering theoretical and practical insights to enhance brand value through effective social media strategies.

Computational diplomacy: how 'hackathons for good' feed a participatory future for multilateralism in the digital age.

This article explores the role of hackathons for good in building a community of software and hardware developers focused on addressing global sustainable development goal (SDG) challenges. We theorize this movement as computational diplomacy: a decentralized, participatory process for digital governance that leverages collective intelligence to tackle major global issues. Analysing Devpost and GitHub data reveals that 30% of hackathons since 2010 have addressed SDG topics, employing diverse technologies to create innovative solutions. Hackathons serve as crucial kairos moments, sparking innovation bursts that drive both immediate project outcomes and long-term production. We propose that these events harness the neurobiological basis of human cooperation and empathy, fostering a collective sense of purpose and reducing interpersonal prejudice. This bottom-up approach to digital governance integrates software development, human collective intelligence and collective action, creating a dynamic model for transformative change. By leveraging kairos moments, computational diplomacy promotes a more inclusive and effective model for digital multilateral governance of the future. This article is part of the theme issue 'Co-creating the future: participatory cities and digital governance'.

The Feasibility of AgileNudge+ Software to Facilitate Positive Behavioral Change: Mixed Methods Design

Background In today’s digital age, web-based apps have become integral to daily life, driving transformative shifts in human behavior. “AgileNudge+” (Indiana University Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Science) is a web-based solution to simplify the process of positive behavior change using nudging as an intervention. By integrating knowledge from behavioral economics with technology, AgileNudge+ organizes multiple steps, simplifies complex tasks, minimizes errors by enhancing user engagement, and provides resources for creating and testing nudge interventions. Objective This paper aimed to outline the design process, methodologies, and usefulness of “AgileNudge+” for the development of evidence-based nudges. It used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the software’s interface usability and usefulness for creating and testing nudge interventions. Methods AgileNudge+ was developed through iterative processes integrating principles from behavioral economics and user-centered design. The content of AgileNudge+ operationalizes an Agile science–based process to efficiently design, embed, and disseminate evidence-based nudges that encourage positive behavior change without limiting choice. Using a mixed methods approach, we tested AgileNudge+ software’s ability to organize and simplify the nudge intervention process, allowing a diverse range of scholars with limited knowledge of Agile science to use nudges. Usability testing assessed the tool’s usefulness and interface with a sample of 18 health care professionals, each asked to interact with the software and create a nudge intervention to solve a problem within their professional project’s sphere. Results The study was funded in August 2022, with data collection occurring from June 2023 to July 2024. As of July 2024, we have enrolled 18 participants. Quantitative results found a mean usefulness rating of AgileNudge+ of 3.83 (95% CI 3.00-4.66). Qualitative results highlighted ways to modify the language used in AgileNudge+ to be more comprehensible to a diverse user base and promoted modifications to the software that facilitate real-time assistance and prioritize time efficiency in user interactions. Feedback further supported the positive impact of gamification on participant motivation when using the software. Conclusions AgileNudge+ is an effective assistive tool for simplifying the positive behavior change process using nudge interventions, with tailored content and interactions to meet users’ needs and demands. Building onto the current design, future iterations of AgileNudge+ will use artificial intelligence to process large volumes of data while reducing the time and mental energy required to scan for existing cognitive biases and nudge prototypes. The software is also being upgraded to build on current gamification efforts, encouraging more sustained motivation by increasing the temporal resolution of the digital interface. These modifications stay true to the agility and user-centered aspects of AgileNudge+, emphasizing the novelty of the constantly evolving software design process.