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DOI: 10.15507/1991-9468.029.202501.114-131

UDC 004.9-027.45:303-053.6

 

Teenagers’ Digital Security: Sociological Analysis

Sergey G. Ushkin
Cand.Sci. (Sociol.), Leading Researcher, Scientific Center for Socio-Economic Monitoring (39a B. Khmelnitskogo St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), Research Manager, Russian Public Opinion Research Center (38 Prechistenka St., Moscow 119034, Russian Federation), Researcher, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4317-6615, Scopus ID: 55489629800, Researcher ID: E-7455-2017, SPIN-code: 1894-6660, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ekaterina A. Koval
Dr.Sci. (Philos.), Professor, Chair of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure, Middle Volga Branch, All-Russian State University of Justice (6 Fedoseenko St., Saransk 430003, Russian Federation), Professor, Chair of General History, Political Science and Area Studies, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0069-5335, Scopus ID: 57202425856, Researcher ID: A-5797-2015, SPIN-code: 7939-4818, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Marina D. Martynova
Cand.Sci. (Philos.), Associate Professor, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1244-9721, Scopus ID: 57225145640, Researcher ID: HKN-1837-2023, SPIN-code: 1287-0833, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract
Introduction. The growing amount of personal data posted by users about themselves and other people on social media platforms, the intensification of user-generated content collection for machine learning determines the relevance of the research. The impact of new digital tools on users’ online safety strategies needs to be scrutinized. The focus of the work is on adolescents, who represent one of the most risky groups. The aim of the study is to determine teenagers’ perceptions of concerns related to their personal data and to compare them in two different Russian regions.
Materials and Methods. The empirical base is represented by the data of a sociological study conducted in 2023–2024 by online survey among schoolchildren of grades 8–11 in two Russian regions – the Republic of Mordovia and the Donetsk People’s Republic. The sample is quota-based, representing each of the regions separately.
Results. Nearly half of respondents have some concerns about the collection of personal data. Most of them have negative attitudes towards their data and content being exposed to large datasets and used for machine learning. Teenagers fear that their data will be used for criminal purposes as well as financial loss. They believe that the surest way to ensure digital security is not to share their personal data unless it is necessary.
Discussion and Conclusion. The materials of the article can be used to develop educational programs and practical recommendations aimed at improving digital literacy and formation of conscious practices of personal data protection among teenagers. This is especially important in the current conditions of hybrid warfare and the spread of fraudulent activities in virtual space.

Keywords: school students’ digital safety, digital risks, personal data protection, big data, privacy paradox, privacy illusion, large language models

Funding: The article was prepared with the financial support of the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 2328-01288 (https://rscf.ru/project/23-28-01288/).

Acknowledgments: The authors express their gratitude to the reviewers for their reasoned comments and recommendations for review of the article; to the students of National Research Mordovia State University Astashova E., Vdovina A., Kastolina A., Kvashenkova E., Lysenkova V., Samosudov E. for organizing the field stage of the research in the Republic of Mordovia, to the student of Donetsk State University Zanin E. – in the Donetsk People’s Republic.

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For citation: Ushkin S.G., Koval E.A., Martynova M.D. Teenagers’ Digital Security: Sociological Analysis. Integration of Education. 2025;29(1):114–131. https://doi.org/10.15507/1991-9468.029.202501.114-131

Author’s contribution:
S. G. Ushkin – development of the research concept; visualization, analysis and interpretation of research results; preparation of the initial version of the manuscript.
E. A. Koval – development of sociological research tools; data collection; revision of the manuscript.
M. D. Martynova – organization of sociological research; data collection; revision of the manuscript.

Availability of data and materials. The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the authors on reasonable request.

All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 30.07.2024;
revised 04.10.2024;
accepted 11.10.2024.

 

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