Exploring and Improvising Cyber Security Awareness in Young Pakistani Children

Abstract

ICT has become an essential part of our daily routine. Increase in internet-based services has given rise to opportunities as well as threats in cyber space. Young children are especially more vulnerable to online threats. Pakistan has a large number of internet users with maximum young people. Pakistan is one of the countries developing in the digital domain but generally lacking cyber awareness especially among children. Thus there is a need to create cyber awareness among its citizens and particularly among children. Some efforts are already taking place but there is a need to explore the shortcomings in this regard. One of the major steps in this regard could be introduction of ICT education with focus on cyber awareness into our national education curriculum. Purpose of this research is to explore present cyber security vulnerabilities, threats and awareness concerning children and young people in Pakistan, and to find the weak areas where improvements are required to enhance the overall cyber security awareness situation. A thorough study about top internet risks has been done for this purpose and internet risk categorization has been taken place on the base of research. In the start of the research study, a survey has been designed according to internet risk categorization and conducted among a group of children via both offline and online means to get an overview of present cyber security awareness situation in children. After analyzing survey results, which shows the suffering of children in almost all the domains of cyber risks as 25% of the children have reported that they were disturbed most by the fake news spread on the internet. Second most reported category is Online Harassment which is one of the worst online risks. 21% of the children have reported this as having worst effects on young mind. At third place 14% of the targeted sample told that adult/violent content has most negative impact on their young minds 10% reported for both disclosure of personal data and for religious hatred and provincial bigotry. At last place 9% of the children reported bullying as the worst happening online risk to them. Training sessions have been organized for the group of children surveyed offline via paper based face to face questionnaire and tips to remain safe online are shared with online participants in form of a brochure.