Online Safety Research Articles

Safe Reach Set Computation via Neural Barrier Certificates

We present a novel technique for online safety verification of autonomous systems, which performs reachability analysis efficiently for both bounded and unbounded horizons by employing neural barrier certificates. Our approach uses barrier certificates given by parameterized neural networks that depend on a given initial set, unsafe sets, and time horizon. Such networks are trained efficiently offline using system simulations sampled from regions of the state space. We then employ a meta-neural network to generalize the barrier certificates to state-space regions that are outside the training set. These certificates are generated and validated online as sound over-approximations of the reachable states, thus either ensuring system safety or activating appropriate alternative actions in unsafe scenarios. We demonstrate our technique on case studies from linear models to nonlinear control-dependent models for online autonomous driving scenarios.

Crafting Digital Micro-Storytelling for Smarter Thai Youth: A Novel Approach to Boost Digital Intelligent Quotient

Aim/Purpose: To conduct a needs assessment and subsequently create micro-storytelling media aimed at enhancing the Digital Intelligence Quotient (DQ) skills of young individuals. Background: In today's digital society, DQ has emerged as a vital skill that elevates individuals in all aspects of life, from daily living to education. To empower Thai youth, this study seeks to innovate DQ content by adapting it into a digital format known as micro-storytelling. This unique approach combines the art of storytelling with digital elements, creating engaging and effective micro-learning media Methodology: The methodology comprises three phases: 1) assessing the need for digital micro-storytelling development; 2) developing digital micro-storytelling; and 3) evaluating the DQ skills among young individuals. The sample group consisted of 55 higher education learners for needs assessment and 30 learners in the experiment group. Data analysis involves PNI modified, mean, and standard deviation. Contribution: This research contributes by addressing the urgent need for DQ skills in the digital era and by providing a practical solution in the form of digital micro-storytelling, tailored to the preferences and needs of Thai youth. It serves as a valuable resource for educators and policymakers seeking to empower young learners with essential digital competencies. Findings: The findings demonstrate three significant outcomes: 1) The learners wanted to organize their own learning experience with self-paced learning in a digital landscape, and they preferred digital media in the form of video. They were most interested in developing DQ to enhance their understanding of digital safety, digital security, and digital literacy; 2) according to a consensus of experts, digital micro-storytelling has the greatest degree of quality in terms of its development, content, and utilization, with an overall average of 4.86; and 3) the overall findings of the assessment of DQ skills indicate a favorable level of proficiency. Recommendations for Practitioners: Align materials with micro-learning principles, keeping content concise for effective knowledge retention. Empower students to personalize their digital learning and promote self-paced exploration based on their interests. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers should continuously assess and update digital learning materials to align with the evolving digital landscape and the changing needs of students and investigate the long-term effects of DQ improvement, especially in terms of online safety and digital literacy in students' future lives and careers. Impact on Society: This study's impact on society is centered around fostering a DQ, promoting innovative educational approaches, and elevating Thai youth with essential digital skills. It contributes to a safer, more informed, and digitally literate generation prepared for the challenges of the digital era. Future Research: Undertake comparative studies to analyze the effectiveness of different digital learning formats and methodologies. Comparing micro-storytelling with other approaches can help identify the most efficient and engaging methods for enhancing DQ.

Towards Promoting Online Safety of Sexual and/or Gender Minority Youth

Towards Promoting Online Safety of Sexual and/or Gender Minority Youth

CYBER HYGIENE: ENHANCING CYBER HYGIENE PRACTICES TO MITIGATE CHILD EXPLOITATION IN THE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT

The study examines how cyber hygiene reduces online child exploitation. Child exploitation, a term that incorporates a range of abusive and exploitative behaviors, has emerged as a significant and urgent issue in the era of digital technology (UNICEF, 2021). It analyzes current practices, their effects on child safety, and improvement ideas using a literature study. This study advises improving cyber hygiene to reduce online child exploitation. Using a comprehensive literature analysis and systematic review, the study will identify child exploitation vulnerabilities in current cyber hygiene practices and create specific suggestions for individuals, parents, educators, and organizations. Stakeholder feedback will inform incremental changes as the proposed enhancements are pilot tested and validated in realworld circumstances. Policy implications and advocacy for legislative initiatives, industry standards, and stakeholder collaboration to improve cyber hygiene will also be examined. This study seeks to improve children's well-being in the digital age by providing evidence-based online safety strategies. The findings show that user education, technology solutions, and collaboration are needed to safeguard children from online exploitation. The study finishes with recommendations for governments, educators, and technology corporations to improve cyber hygiene and protect children online.

The Bypass Strategy: Platforms, the Online Safety Act, and Future of Online Speech

The Bypass Strategy: Platforms, the Online Safety Act, and Future of Online Speech

Feeling safe online and experience with cyber incidents among university students

The field of education increasingly depends on technology to manage extensive volumes of information, underscoring the paramount importance of cybersecurity. Security breaches are rising within the education sector, necessitating the preemptive improvement of awareness. Within this article, we will delve into the findings of a survey that inquired with university students about their perceptions of safety in the digital realm and their encounters with cybersecurity events. The outcomes shed light on the fact that while a majority of students do perceive online safety, a noteworthy portion has already encountered security incidents.

Identification of social network automated hate speech using GLTR with BERT and GPT-2 : A novel approach

Automated hate speech on social media is a serious issue for online safety and wellbeing. A promising strategy to address the issue is the identification of artificial hate speech using machine learning techniques. The authors present research on the detection of automated hate speech on social networks with the use of GLTR (Giant Language model Test Room) along with BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) as well as GPT-2 (Generative Pretrained Transformer 2) on the four widely used benchmark datasets (ETHOS, Founta, Waseem, and Davidson). The performance of the proposed approach was evaluated by comparing F1 scores, precision, recall, and accuracy with other state-of-the-art machine algorithms. The results show that the proposed approach out performs other algorithms on all four datasets. The results indicate that the GLTR approach with BERT and GPT-2 models is a promising method for automated hate speech detection on social networks.

Exploring responsible applications of Synthetic Data to advance Online Safety Research and Development

Exploring responsible applications of Synthetic Data to advance Online Safety Research and Development

Cyberbullying among University Students: A Study on Sri Lankan Universities

Cyberbullying serves as a channel through which individuals who have faced victimization during their university experience can vent their anger and frustration. This study delves into the determinants influencing cyberbullying among university students. We collected and analyzed 150 relevant responses from university students in the Sri Lankan context, employing multiple regression analysis. The findings reveal that social influences, social media usage, internet addiction, social anxiety, and trait anger significantly impact cyberbullying behaviors. However, it is essential to note that this study is confined by its focus on only five variables and a sample limited to Sri Lankan state university students. Despite these constraints, our research enriches the understanding of cyberbullying dynamics, advocates for heightened awareness among students, authorities, government bodies, and other stakeholders, and offers recommendations to promote online safety and combat cyberbullying.

An Investigation of the Relationship Between Parents’ Socioeconomic Standards and their Children’s Online Safety; Perspective: Bangladesh

"The field of child-computer interaction has garnered significant interest from researchers worldwide. Nevertheless, the discourse around the protection of children’s digital safe, that includes privacy and security remains significantly underrepresented in both Bangladesh and the broader global south. In situations where a significant portion of senior and adult persons lack awareness regarding optimal strategies for effectively utilizing digital gadgets and tools, it is difficult to anticipate a higher level of proficiency among younger individuals. Privacy generally encompasses the capacity of individuals to exercise control over, get access to, and govern their personal data. In contrast, the security system serves to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access, data leakage, or cyber intrusions, therefore safeguarding the data from potential compromise. Previous studies have indicated that the responsibility for safeguarding the digital privacy and security of children lies with both parents and children themselves. Regrettably, a dearth of scholarly investigations exists within the domain, hindering the ability to systematically monitor and analyze the potential relationship between parental socioeconomic status and the privacy and safety of their offspring. This research aims to discover the correlation. This study employed semi-structured interviews with a sample of 48 parents and 42 children from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, including high income, middle income, and low-income groups. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis. The findings of this study indicate that children from high income families are more susceptible to online safety issues compared to their counterparts from low-income households. This vulnerability is attributed to factors such as the widespread availability of internet access and personal digital devices, greater purchasing power on online platforms, and a lack of parental monitoring. This study presents a limited number of recommendations for parents and children across various socioeconomic backgrounds in order to enhance the state of internet safety for children."

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP SKILL AMONG STML UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN UUM

Citizenship in the digital era promotes ethical and critical thought about what is viewed, heard, and shared through communication media technology. The inability to appropriately employ digital technology today impedes social integration and personal growth. This research examined the level of digital citizenship skills among STML undergraduates at Universiti Utara Malaysia in Sintok, Kedah. The study centred on three subcomponents of digital citizenship skills: online well-being, online learning, and online safety. 178 undergraduate STML students were surveyed, employing survey questionnaires to obtain data. Using descriptive analysis to ascertain the level of digital citizenship skills among undergraduates The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) is also applied to data analysis. According to the study's findings, undergraduate STML students exhibit high levels of digital citizenship skills.

The steps that young people and suicide prevention professionals think the social media industry and policymakers should take to improve online safety. A nested cross-sectional study within a Delphi consensus approach

IntroductionConcerns exist about the relationship between social media and youth self-harm and suicide. Study aims were to examine the extent to which young people and suicide prevention professionals agreed on: (1) the utility of actions that social media companies currently take in response to self-harm and suicide-related content; and (2) further steps that the social media industry and policymakers could take to improve online safety.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional survey study nested within a larger Delphi expert consensus study. A systematic search of peer-reviewed and grey literature and roundtables with social media companies, policymakers, and young people informed the questionnaire development. Two expert panels were developed to participate in the overarching Delphi study, one of young people and one of suicide prevention experts; of them 43 young people and 23 professionals participated in the current study. The proportion of participants “strongly agreeing”, “somewhat agreeing”, “neither agreeing nor disagreeing”, and “somewhat disagreeing” or “strongly disagreeing” for each item were calculated; items that achieved =>80% of agreement from both panels were strongly endorsed.ResultsThere was limited consensus across the two groups regarding the utility of the safety strategies currently employed by companies. However, both groups largely agreed that self-harm and suicide-related content should be restricted. Both groups also agreed that companies should have clear policies covering content promoting self-harm or suicide, graphic depictions of self-harm or suicide, and games, pacts and hoaxes. There was moderate agreement that companies should use artificial intelligence to send resources to users at risk. Just over half of professionals and just under half of young people agreed that social media companies should be regulated by government. There was strong support for governments to require schools to educate students on safe online communication. There was also strong support for international collaboration to better coordinate efforts.DiscussionStudy findings reflect the complexity associated with trying to minimise the risks of communicating online about self-harm or suicide whilst capitalising on the benefits. However, a clear message was the need for better collaboration between policymakers and the social media industry and between government and its international counterparts

Pelatihan Literasi Digital bagi Orang Tua: Langkah Menuju Keluarga Cerdas Digital

At RT 06/014 Kel. Palmerah, West Jakarta, there is an urgent need to increase digital literacy among parents, who vary in age and level of technological knowledge. Reliance on digital technology poses challenges in supervising children and online safety. This challenge can be overcome by conducting digital literacy training designed to close knowledge gaps, improve online security, and provide skills to use technology responsibly. This training is carried out through lectures, simulations, and practice. Survey results showed high satisfaction (4.2/5) with the training content, but there was demand for more hands-on activities, especially regarding social media and data security. This training aims to equip parents with the skills necessary to support their children's education in a dynamic digital environment.

The effects of cyberbullying on primary-stage students

ABSTRACT Today’s digital world is plagued with cyberbullying, not only among youth but also involving adults and children. This research examines Kuwaiti children’s parents’ cyberbullying experiences. The survey seeks to understand parents’ views on cyberbullying, detection, and solutions. Using a descriptive technique, the study surveyed 392 Kuwaiti parents of primary school children. A questionnaire was created to analyze the effects of cyberbullying on children and how parents learn about it. The study also investigated parents’ cyberbullying solutions. The data show that cyberbullying affects youngsters in several ways. Parents noted negative behavioral changes, educational failures, and psychological suffering. It supports the literature on cyberbullying’s multifaceted consequences for children’s self-esteem, academic achievement, and emotional well-being. Parental awareness is crucial to combating cyberbullying. Parents reported knowing about their children’s experiences through direct communication, digital device monitoring, and online activity dialogues. This emphasizes the importance of parents for online safety and mental wellness. The study also stresses the importance of education against cyberbullying. Parents and schools were crucial in teaching children about responsible internet behavior, cyberbullying, and how to get help.

Preventive online safety education for teenagers

The rapid evolution of digital technology has brought both opportunities and risks, particularly for adolescents navigating the online world. This paper delves into the significance of preventive online safety education tailored for teenagers. It explores the current landscape of online threats, encompassing cyberbullying, privacy breaches, and exposure to inappropriate content, among others. Additionally, it evaluates existing educational approaches, emphasizing the need for a proactive, multifaceted strategy to equip teenagers with the necessary skills and knowledge to safely navigate the digital sphere. The proposed preventive education model integrates elements of digital literacy, critical thinking, and responsible online behavior. Furthermore, it discusses potential challenges in implementing such programs and suggests collaborative efforts among educators, parents, and policymakers to ensure comprehensive online safety education for teenagers, fostering a safer and more secure digital environment for the next generation.

Cyber Smart Teacher: A Conceptual Study

This Research paper has tried to study need of being cyber smart for teachers in this digital era. This study includes skills and qualities required for cyber smart teacher. Researcher has tried to give more focus on role of teachers to spread awareness about cyber security among students. This paper has highlighted basic knowledge of concept about cyber crimes. It will help to teachers to understand role of social media as educational platform e.g. Telegram. This study also mentions about different types of social platform and their benefits as well as drawbacks. Digital citizenship and online safety is now becoming important for each and everyone. Hence it is important to have knowledge about different types of social media threat happening in today’s online world.

Impacts of Cyberbullying and Its Solutions

The paper examines the phenomenon of cyberbullying, characterized as the intentional use of digital communication tools for injury, intimidation, or harassment of others. It discusses the characteristics of cyberbullying, including its persistence, permanence, difficulty in detection, network tracking, and false accusations. The harmful effects of cyberbullying on teenagerssuch as sadness, anxiety, low self-esteem, suicidal behavior, eating disorders and gastrointestinal problemsare explored in the paper. It emphasizes the intricate relationship between cyberbullying and suicidal conduct, pointing out the significance of gender differences and other aggravating elements. The solutions presented focus on the importance of parental involvement, communication, and positive attitudes in preventing cyberbullying. Strategies for victims include remaining calm, saving evidence, blocking and reporting attackers, seeking emotional support, and professional help if needed. Teachers are encouraged to raise awareness, educate students about online safety, provide support to victims, and collaborate with parents and relevant institutions. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for concerted efforts from various stakeholders to address the issue of cyberbullying effectively.

Cyber Security Awareness Model (Among Children) Using Protection Motivation Theory: A Review

In recent times, there has been a growing concern regarding children's cyber security due to their increased access to the Internet and exposure to various online threats. This issue has garnered significant attention as it poses a considerable risk to children's safety and well-being. As a result, research on children's cyber security awareness has become an area of rapid growth. To contribute to the understanding of this topic, this paper aims to review the latest findings regarding the application of the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) in developing a Cyber Security Awareness Model for children. The Protection Motivation Theory offers a valuable framework for understanding individuals' motivations and decision-making processes regarding protective behaviors in the face of perceived threats. By applying PMT to children's cyber security awareness, researchers can gain insights into the factors that influence children's motivation to engage in protective actions while navigating the online environment. This review paper will explore and analyze recent studies that have employed the Protection Motivation Theory in developing Cyber Security Awareness Models tailored specifically for children. The models derived from PMT can provide a deeper understanding of children's threat appraisal, including their perception of the severity and vulnerability to online risks. Moreover, the coping appraisal aspect of PMT allows researchers to examine children's evaluation of the effectiveness and feasibility of protective actions, such as employing secure passwords, avoiding sharing personal information, and recognizing potential online dangers. By synthesizing the most recent research findings, this paper aims to contribute to the knowledge base on children's cyber security awareness. Understanding how the Protection Motivation Theory can be applied in the context of children's cyber security will enable the development of effective interventions and educational programs to enhance children's online safety. Ultimately, the goal is to empower children with the necessary skills and knowledge to protect themselves from online threats and make informed decisions while navigating the digital world.

Regulatory capacity capture: the United Kingdom’s online safety regime

Regulatory capacity capture: the United Kingdom’s online safety regime

Analysis of Cross-Functional Stakeholder Collaboration in Online Safety of Children

Analysis of Cross-Functional Stakeholder Collaboration in Online Safety of Children