Digital Life Research Articles

Ownership leads to conflicts: the double-edged impact of psychological ownership on communication satisfaction in virtual communities

PurposePsychological ownership has been a topic of intense debate for several decades, especially in the digital era. In addition, as part of the digital public domain, virtual communities shape our digital lives. Unfortunately, few studies have examined the communication process in virtual communities from the perspective of psychological ownership. Moreover, information and organization are key aspects of virtual communities. This research aimed to explore the impact of psychological ownership on communication satisfaction from these two perspectives.Design/methodology/approachI collected 471 responses using a questionnaire. In terms of empirical methods, I developed a structural equation model (SEM) to examine the relationship between psychological ownership and communication satisfaction as well as the mechanism underlying this relationship – namely, information behavior. Specifically, I first examined the relationship between psychological ownership and information behavior. I then developed a comprehensive framework for the double-edged impact of psychological ownership in virtual communities on communication satisfaction.FindingsI found that psychological ownership has a double-edged effect on communication satisfaction based on two types of information behavior in virtual communities. Specifically, organization-based psychological ownership (OPO) positively influences communication satisfaction through information exchange. In contrast, information-based psychological ownership (IPO) negatively impacts communication satisfaction through information-hiding.Originality/valueThe findings of this research demonstrate that psychological ownership has a double-edged effect on communication satisfaction. First, the findings of this study reveal the downsides of psychological ownership, which are not consistent with its beneficial role. Second, the negative effect of psychological ownership with regard to communication in virtual communities also helps explain communication failure in virtual communities. Finally, despite the downsides of psychological ownership in the context of a virtual community revealed by this study, this factor has an overall beneficial effect.

Человек есть цифровая личность, или у человека есть цифровая личность?

The Internet is an important part of modern life; however, most virtual processes are beyond the scope of legal control. The state as a legislator regulates relations that originate in the real world. As a result, the law often fails to take into account the specifics of virtual environment. The poor legal regulation comes from the fact that the legislator cannot determine whether digital rights and freedoms are new categories or a continuation of the existing legal provisions. In this article, the author attempts to identify the correct approach by answering the obvious question: Is there a digital life and a separate digital personality, or is the digital space a continuation of the constitutional right to life exercised by a real-life legal subject? The research relied on standard methods of cognition and specific scientific methods, e.g., comparative and formal logical analyses. While analyzing the concept of the constitutional right to life, the author defines the categories of digital image and digital personality in order to develop a variant of legal regulation of digital rights and freedoms. The validity of digital personality depends on the approach the legislator chooses to regulate digital rights and freedoms. If the legislator sees digital rights and freedoms as a continuation of the rights and freedoms that exist in reality, a digital personality is impossible: it is a digital image of a real person in virtual space. If the legislator evaluates rights and freedoms as a new category, a digital personality is a valid concept, but only in the context of artificial intelligence.

Enhancing Trust and Security in IoT Architecture for Low-Cost Microcontroller Devices using Elliptic Curve Cryptography

Abstract—In the rapidly expanding universe of the Internet of Things (IoT), low-cost microcontroller devices, such as the NodeMCU, have become ubiquitous. While these devices have transformed how we interact with the physical world, they also introduce significant security vulnerabilities. Chief among these is susceptibility to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, which pose a serious risk to the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted across these networks. This study addresses this critical issue by proposing the adoption of Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), a cryptographic method known for its efficiency and strong security, despite the computational limitations of low-cost IoT devices. We conducted an experiment demonstrating the ease with which an MITM attack can intercept data from a NodeMCU device. Following this, we implemented ECC to secure data transmission, showcasing its viability as a lightweight yet robust security solution. Our research not only highlights the pressing need for enhanced security measures in the IoT ecosystem but also provides a practical framework for securing low-cost microcontroller devices against sophisticated cyber threats. Through our findings, we contribute to the development of more secure, trustworthy IoT architectures, ensuring that these devices can continue to safely serve as integral components of our digital lives. Keywords—NodeMCU, ESP8266, Data theft, Elliptic Curve Cryptography, Man-in-the-middle attack

Hardware study and implementation of image encryption algorithm based on a hyperchaotic key generator

In today’s interconnected world, digital data transmissions are an integral part of our communication systems. Connected objects are commonly used in digital life, however, they can be vulnerable to hacking and personal data theft due to inadequate security. To address the size and capability limitations of existing embedded devices, lightweight cryptography has been developed. This paper presents a hardware implementation of a lightweight cryptographic method using VHDL and FPGAs to secure digital information, specifically images. The proposed algorithm is a block cipher scheme that operates on blocks of 128-bit length and employs chaos based generator-based. The cryptosystem includes a whitening operation, random permutation, and key-dependent Substitution box. The proposed hardware implementation of the algorithm was validated using a Xilinx FPGA-Zynq platform and can secure different gray-scale images while maintaining low power usage, a high frequency of 160.6098 MHz, and high throughput of 11314.917 Mbps. The cryptosystem is shown to be effective against statistical and differential attacks, and key sequences are tested using the NIST SP 800–22 test suite. The algorithm’s robustness with respect to Shannon’s theory and Chaos is discussed, emphasizing its high level of security and performance.

Sub‐optimal Internet of Thing devices deployment using branch and bound method

AbstractThe Internet of Thing (IoT) network deployments are widely investigated in 4G and 5G systems and will still be key technical systems to drive massive connectivity of 6G systems. In 6G, IoT systems will operate with 6G new technologies such as Integrated Sensing and Communications. The IoT systems of 6G will be a platform to collect information in real world and create new use cases and business models. As the IoT devices and cellular networks are getting smarter, the IoT ecosystem allows us to bridge between human life and digital life and accelerate the transition towards a hyper‐connected world. Optimal and scalable IoT network design has been investigated in many research groups but key challenges in this topic still remain. An IoT devices deployment problem is investigated to minimise the transmission and computation cost among network nodes. The IoT devices deployment problem is formulated as Mixed‐Integer Nonlinear Programming problem. After relaxing the constraints and transforming the problem to a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem, the authors propose a new branch and bound (BB) method with a machine learning function and solve the MILP problem as a sub‐optimal solution. In the numerical analysis, the authors evaluate both conventional BB method and the proposed BB method with weighting factors and compare the objective function values, the number of explored nodes, and computational time. The performances of the proposed BB method are significantly improved under the given simulation configuration. The author finds the optimal mapping of IoT devices to fusion nodes.

Keeping up with the times in Ireland: Older adults bridging the age-based digital divide together?

In 2021, data on Internet usage for those aged 75 years and older in Ireland indicated that almost half of this cohort (46%) had never accessed the Internet. This study examines the role of informal peer learning in the digital lives of older adults in Ireland. A mixed methods case study methodology was employed. Data were collected from 100 participants by means of an online survey, followed by interviews with 12 participants who opted in from the survey. Interview data were collected and analysed using a constructivist grounded theory approach. My findings indicate that questions surrounding digital technologies were best addressed on an individual level, often from a same generation peer, whether household member, family or other relative, friend or member of one’s social environment. There was evidence of indirect reciprocity from these learning exchanges to a participant’s peers. Research into peer learning in informal social and community environments for older adults has been scarcely addressed heretofore. This research highlights that it is here that much later-life learning relating to digital skills takes place. The principles of intergenerational learning: learning with one another, learning from one another, learning about one another, offer a useful lens for future consideration of informal peer learning related to digital skills development amongst older adults.

The flip side of social media: unveiling the effects of social media on mental health

Mental health, commonly known as behavioral health, is the psychological, emotional, and social well-being of an individual. It mostly affects a person’s ideas, emotions, behaviors, and relationships with other people. The idea that social media use and mental health are inextricably related appears to be the most intricate and varied. The effect of social media on mental health is a complicated topic with many moving parts. According to a countrywide survey carried out in India, as of 2023, approximately 67.5% of adults in the country utilize at least one social networking site; this percentage may be steadily increasing over time. Despite its numerous benefits, social media has also been connected to problems in society and poor mental health outcomes. People need to be aware of the potential risks of social media like disinformation, addiction, cyberbullying, data security and privacy concerns, and its possible effects on mental health. This review offers a thorough analysis of social media’s effects on mental health, and it demonstrates how crucial it is to develop a thoughtful and balanced relationship with our digital life to ensure that the advantages of connection do not come at the expense of our mental health.

Bringing Children’s Dictionaries to Digital Life

Bringing Children’s Dictionaries to Digital Life

Review on Existing Note-Taking and Task-Management Apps

The constantly changing universe of note-taking and task-management applications has become an essential aspect of our digital life. This evaluation delves into the complexities of current programs, revealing their features, strengths, and limits. This study intends to aid users in making educated decisions about selecting an app adapted to their specific needs by critically analyzing the present status of these tools. Note-taking and task-management software play a critical role in organizing and optimizing individual and communal efforts in the changing world of digital productivity tools. This in-depth examination aims to delve into the detailed features, user experiences, and technology landscapes of existing note-taking and task-management applications. This evaluation seeks to provide users and developers with a detailed perspective of the emerging digital productivity ecosystem by scrutinizing the strengths and limits of popular platforms

Digital Life Balance Scale: Validity and Reliability in the Turkish Context

In our increasingly interconnected world, maintaining a healthy balance between online and offline activities is crucial for personal well-being. The Digital Life Balance (DLB) Scale has been introduced to understand the impact of Internet use on well-being, drawing upon the framework of the psychology of harmony and harmonization. This study is aimed at validating and assessing the reliability of the DLB Scale among Turkish university students. A sample of 424 university students (50.7% females, 49.3% males; age range: 20-31 years) participated. The scale was translated into Turkish, and its language validity was ensured through expert reviews. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the construct validity of the scale, effectively measuring Digital Life Balance in the Turkish context. Convergent validity analysis revealed significant correlations between the DLB Scale and measures of well-being and addiction tendencies. The DLB Scale exhibited good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability). Test-retest reliability analysis showed consistent responses over a three-week interval. These findings provide empirical evidence for the validity and reliability of the scale, making it a valuable tool for assessing individuals’ perceptions of balance in their online and offline activities.

Securing Social Well-Being in the Quantum Age: Legal Roadmaps for PQC in Banking to Healthcare

The dawn of quantum computing casts a long shadow over the once-assured realm of digital security. The conventional encryption is trembling at the prospect of quantum-powered attacks. This problem seems to be solved with the existence of post-quantum cryptography which brings a glimmer of hope that pierces the shadow cast by quantum computing. However, forging these shields is no easy feat. Beyond brute computational power, the true challenge lies in seamlessly weaving them into existing systems without compromising user trust, the threads that bind our digital lives. To achieve this, a delicate dance is needed - prioritizing the legal aspect to robust the security without disrupting the familiar rhythm of our online interactions. The research employs an empirical juridical approach as its method. For data collection, a thorough exploration of literature, including laws, books, journals, and relevant sources, is conducted. Radbruch's tripartite ideal of justice, expediency or suitability for a purpose, and legal certainty underscores the fundamental role of effective legal frameworks in mitigating vulnerabilities. This principle applies acutely to PQC regulation, where the absence of international guidelines amplifies nation-state susceptibility to quantum computing attacks. On the other hand, In the context of PQC migration, every government must meticulously consider several key factors to ensure effective and compliant implementation. Hence, the presented solution endeavors to tackle the aforementioned inquiry from both theoretical and empirical perspectives.

DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL COMPETENCIES OF THE GENERATION OF YOUNG TEACHERS IN KAZAKHSTAN

The article discusses the phenomenon of socialization of modern adolescents on the internet, the current state of the existing media space, the paradigm of which determines the new digital life of society. Today’s internetization, which has a global character, has become an integral part of all spheres of society’s life. Therefore, the question of studying the aspects and mechanisms of its influence in science is causing a very acute content. As a result of digital socialization, the socialization of Generation Z is manifested by its active participation in the assimilation of norms and values. The features of Generation Z as the main audience of media consumption in the risk zone are determined as a result of the social negative impact of the descriptive internet on the basis of domestic and foreign scientific paradigms. The authors also studied the phenomenon along Generation Z, taking as a basis the field of Sciences in a close correlation between socialization and through the lens of media pedagogy, a new vector of research. Within the framework of this approach, the internet socialization of the «new generation» considers the possibilities of influencing the solution of problems based on the possibilities of paying special attention to education and its methodological basis. Keywords: young teachers, digital competencies, generation Z, teachers, digital socialization, social capital.

Research on the data-driven marketing: Case of Huawei

The ubiquity of the internet and the pervasive interconnectedness of our digital lives have led to an unprecedented surge in user-generated data. This deluge of data, often referred to as the "new oil," presents businesses with a vast reservoir of opportunities to gain profound insights into their customer base. Huawei has recognized that within this vast data landscape lies the power to craft marketing strategies and product innovations that deeply resonate with their audience. In essence, Huawei's journey through the realms of data-driven marketing and target marketing serves as a guiding star for other businesses navigating the digital age. Their unwavering commitment to harnessing data for enhanced customer engagement, amplified market competitiveness, and the enduring sustainability of their brand underscores the transformative power of data. This article serves as an illuminating case study, offering a roadmap and a wellspring of inspiration for companies striving to thrive in the data-centric landscape of the digital era. In a world of boundless possibilities, Huawei's story stands as a testament to the notion that data is not merely a resource; it is the very foundation of innovation and growth in this transformative era.

The Effect of Financial Literacy on the Ability to Detect Investment Fraud

The financial sector has been increasingly digitized over the last few years, and the volume of fraudulent operations has also increased, which can have severe consequences. People's digital lives are growing along with the proliferation of the internet and other digital media, giving rise to increasingly sophisticated forms of fraud as a result of the increasing availability of various financial services, which of course will be detrimental to potential investors who want to develop their businesses due to their very minimal knowledge of finance. This study aims to examine the effect of financial literacy on the ability to detect investment fraud, with the moderating variables of gender, age, and level of education. With a sample of 400 residents living in Greater Solo, this study used simple linear regression analysis and Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). Based on the results and discussion of the above research, financial literacy has a positive and significant effect on the ability to detect investment fraud. In addition, the factors of gender, age, and education have no significant effect on moderating the effect of financial literacy on the ability to detect investment fraud.

Digital Life Norway (DLN) Initiative to foster and boost transdisciplinary biotechnology research and innovation

Digital Life Norway (DLN) Initiative to foster and boost transdisciplinary biotechnology research and innovation Meeting the rapid developments in biotechnology by fostering transdisciplinarity, including digitalisation and big data, to create convergence for innovation in a virtual centre. The Centre for Digital Life Norway (DLN) is a strategic national initiative originally conceived in 2014 by the BIOTEK2021 programme of the Research Council of Norway (RCN). It is an ambitious and large-scale initiative to foster and boost transdisciplinary biotechnology research and innovation activities, combined with a novel framework of responsible research and innovation, to solve challenges of societal importance and create value. DLN departs from the traditional organisation of research and development among Norwegian research institutions. The centre aims to untangle and resolve some of the fundamental societal challenges facing new and emerging biotechnology by emphasising technological convergence and transdisciplinarity.

Parental mediation and children’s digital well-being in family life in Norway

ABSTRACT Because children are introduced to digital technology at an early age, their digital skills are influenced by digital learning and well-being in everyday life. This article examines how family values may influence children’s digital lives. The study is based on qualitative data from individual interviews with family members from ten different families and ten focus groups with children aged five to ten years. The analysis shows how values linked to parental mediation are important in determining how family members relate to digital technology. In the discussion, we examine how established values may affect parental mediation, and how children can participate in a digital culture. This work posits that the ability to communicate about digital lives is an important value regarding the well-being of young children.

“I Do What I Do to Drive Change”: The Social-Symbolic Work of Sustainable Fashion Influencers

This paper aims to study how sustainable fashion influencers (SFIs) conduct social-symbolic work in their efforts to purposefully transform their followers’ fashion consumption patterns. We conducted a netnographic study of the Finnish SFI scene, including observations of the SFIs’ social media content and complementary in-depth interviews with a subset of SFIs. We identified three types of social-symbolic work conducted by the SFIs: identity work (narrating, reflecting and balancing), community work (tightening, expanding and magnetizing) and practice work (shaping meanings, competences, and materials). Most of the SFIs studied were micro-influencers in Finland. The paper contributes to research on sustainable fashion by highlighting the role of SFIs as drivers of institutional and cultural change, the role of social media in this pursuit, and the way sustainable fashion consumption is interlinked with digital life.

Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and Posthumanism: A Convergence of Frontiers?

This is an extended article based on the book ”Intelligence, from Natural Origins to Artificial Frontiers - Human Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence”. The relationship between cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and posthumanism provides an intriguing look ahead for society. These topics cover the possibilities and dangers of our digital lives, emphasizing our transition from natural entities to beings closely linked with technology. As technology advances at an accelerating pace, it's essential to grasp not only its potential but also its effects on our identity, safety, and destiny.

Securely Cloud Data Storage and Sharing

With the increasing adoption of cloud computing, data storage and sharing have be-come integral parts of our digital lives. However, ensuring the security and privacy of data stored in the cloud remains a significant challenge. This paper proposes a novel approach for securely storing and sharing data in the cloud, addressing the vulnerabilities associated with traditional cloud storage models. The proposed approach utilizes advanced cryptographic techniques, including hyperchaotic encryption and hash functions, to protect the confidentiality and integrity of data stored in the cloud. The hyperchaotic encryption algorithm provides a high level of security by introducing chaos-based dynamics into the encryption process, making it resistant to various attacks. Additionally, the hash function ensures the integrity of data by generating unique identifiers for each file stored in the cloud. To enhance data sharing security, the proposed approach employs access control mechanisms and user authentication protocols. Access control rules are enforced to restrict unauthorized access to data, while user authentication ensures that only legitimate users can access and modify the shared data.

SocIoTy: Practical Cryptography in Smart Home Contexts

Smartphones form an important source of trust in modern computing. But, while their mobility is convenient, smartphones can be stolen or seized, allowing an adversary to impersonate the user in their digital life: accessing the user's services and decrypting their sensitive files. With this in mind, we build SocIoTy, which leverages a user's existing IoT devices to add a context-sensitive layer of security for non-expert users. Instead of assuming the existence of dedicated hardware, SocIoTy re-uses the devices of a user's smart home to provide cryptographic services, which we term at-home cryptography. We show that at-home cryptography can be built from simple cryptographic primitives, and that our SocIoTy solution is able to provide useful functionalities, like two-factor authentication (2FA) and secure file storage, while protecting against powerful adversaries in this setting. We implement and evaluate SocIoTy in real-world use cases and provide microbenchmarks for individual cryptographic operations on realistic models of IoT devices. We also provide full benchmarks of an end-to-end deployment on a simulated smart home, using a smartphone and 9 IoT devices to generate and display 2FA one-time passwords in less than 200 milliseconds. SocIoTy is able to provide strong, practical cryptography while binding its execution to the smart home itself, all without requiring additional hardware.