THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN ENHANCING CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS AND DIGITAL SAFETY AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS AGED 13–19

Education plays a vital role in empowering adolescent girls to understand and respond effectively to cyber threats in an increasingly digital society. This study examines the implementation of cybersecurity education in schools, girls’ perceptions of online safety, and the role of educators in promoting cybersecurity awareness. The study adopts a descriptive research design in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, using purposive sampling to select 90 female students and 90 teachers. Primary data were collected through structured interview schedules, while secondary data were obtained from journals, books, reports, and news articles. The collected data were analyzed using percentages, graphs, and pie charts. The findings reveal that all student respondents use the internet daily, with 63% reporting six to ten hours of daily usage. Although 67% expressed some confidence in navigating online threats, 30% reported that they or their acquaintances had experienced cyberbullying or online harassment. A significant gap was identified in formal cybersecurity education, as all student respondents reported that their schools did not conduct specialized cybersecurity classes or programmes. Furthermore, 70% considered school-based online safety education extremely important, and all respondents supported a more active role for teachers in promoting cybersecurity awareness. Teachers also recognized the importance of cybersecurity education and expressed support for targeted educational initiatives. The study highlights the need to integrate structured cybersecurity education into school curricula, provide specialized training for teachers, strengthen parent–teacher collaboration, and incorporate practical exercises, real-life case studies, and expert-led workshops. It concludes that comprehensive and gender-sensitive cybersecurity education can strengthen digital literacy, improve online safety practices, and empower adolescent girls to navigate digital spaces more confidently and responsibly.