Factors contributing to the successful development of cyber safety education for foundation phase children: a systematic literature review

Purpose Given the increasing importance of digital literacy and safety for young children, identifying key factors that contribute to effective education in this area is essential. The purpose of this paper is to establish the criteria for ensuring the effectiveness of cyber safety education for children in the foundation phase, focusing on the factors and conditions necessary to achieve desired outcomes. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a systematic literature review. The research question addressed is: What are the key factors and criteria necessary for developing effective cyber safety education programmes for children in the foundation phase? Findings The systematic review identified 15 themes: interactive delivery, developmental needs, individual needs, content specificity, impact, positive language, contextualisation, assessment and feedback, continuous improvement, stakeholder engagement, participant buy-in, research-based content, legal alignment, pedagogy and resources. These were synthesised into six main categories. Originality/value This study is original in its focus on establishing specific criteria tailored to young children. By systematically reviewing existing literature, it uniquely addresses the need for age-appropriate, engaging, and contextual educational strategies. The findings will provide guidelines for the development of targeted cyber safety programmes, filling a critical gap in early childhood digital literacy.