CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION AND AWARENESS: A FRAMEWORK-BASED APPROACH FOR DIGITAL LITERACY

In the present digital society, an educative component around cybersecurity seems essential, if not vital, for ensuring a component of digital citizenship. This research study leads the way to a landscape around cybersecurity awareness that sheds the light of day onto the key challenges we face in this realm, offering an insightful evaluation of the awareness initiatives with which we hope to bridge the gap between digital natives who move through life as students and educators and the knowledge necessary for digital safe conduct. The CAPE Framework—Cognition, Application, Participation, and Empowerment—provides a structured lens for examining initiatives. It is a model for assessing non-stupid initiatives. Findings look at where initiative participants are. Who is aware of what? Why are initiative participants not applying, and why? Why is it so difficult to apply, with sustained effort, what is known not to be easily applied? Who is not being empowered to use the necessary tools wisely if we want to improve the Internet? The study emphasises the urgent need to undertake integrative, cross-sector efforts to ensure that cybersecurity is embedded throughout the curricula. It advocates for a system that seamlessly integrates curriculum and assessment. It promotes an integrative, cross-curricular model that includes not just computer science but also mathematics, social studies, and the humanities. It advocates for middle school as a key juncture for introducing a cybersecurity curriculum. It also emphasises the value of student assessment that aligns with cybersecurity learning objectives. Keywords: Cybersecurity Awareness and Education, Digital Citizens, Online Safety, Cyber Threats, Digital Literacy, Cybersecurity Behavior.