Research on the Construction of Youth Network Literacy from the Perspective of Cyber Space Security

Authors

  • Yexin Zhang Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology, Haikou, Hainan, 571126, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70088/dexq7g51

Keywords:

cyberspace security, youth groups, digital literacy, collaborative education, vocational education path

Abstract

As the "fifth domain" of jurisdictional integrity, cyberspace has emerged as an indispensable frontier within the comprehensive framework for public safety and systemic social stability. Within this landscape, youth groups, as "digital natives" and the most active participants in the online ecosystem, possess a level of network literacy that is directly tied to the resilience of digital environment protection and the sustainable advancement of the strategic vision for a robust digital state. However, the rapid evolution of technologies—such as Generative AI, algorithmic recommendation engines, and deepfakes—has introduced unprecedented complexity into the online environment, creating new challenges for social order and individual development. This research, grounded in the strategic perspective of network safety, systematically evaluates the multidimensional impacts of the current network ecology on the cognitive frameworks, behavioral norms, and value systems of young individuals. The study identifies critical structural deficiencies in contemporary youth network literacy, particularly regarding proactive digital defense skills, information discernment in the face of "information cocoons," ethical-legal consciousness, and a profound understanding of the administrative integrity of the digital domain. To address these gaps, this paper proposes a "triad" educational framework that integrates Value Guidance, Capability Development, and Practical Empowerment. Furthermore, it advocates for a multi-stakeholder collaborative governance model involving regulatory bodies, educational institutions (with a focus on the practical strengths of vocational universities), social entities, families, and the youth themselves. This comprehensive approach aims to cultivate a new generation of "responsible netizens" capable of promoting public well-being while navigating the complexities of the digital age, thereby providing robust human capital for the construction of a safe and autonomous digital landscape.

References

Y. Dai, X. Tang, and C. Liu, "Research on the value and path of cultivating college students' digital literacy in the digital age," In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Education and Training Technologies, April, 2022, pp. 92-97. doi: 10.1145/3535756.3535771

S. Silvhiany, S. Huzaifah, and I. Ismet, "Critical digital literacy: EFL students' ability to evaluate online sources," Indonesian Journal of EFL and Linguistics, vol. 6, no. 1, p. 249, 2021. doi: 10.21462/ijefl.v6i1.364

E. Koza, "Information security awareness and training as a holistic key factor-how can a human firewall take on a complementary role in information security," Human Factors in Cybersecurity. AHFE, 2022.

H. Shrobe, D. L. Shrier, and A. Pentland, "New Solutions for Cybersecurity," MIT Press, 2018.

R. J. Green, "Attracting, Developing, and Retaining Cybersecurity Talent: Leadership Strategies for Bridging the Skills Gap (Doctoral dissertation, South College)," 2025.

C. Zhang, "Problems and Countermeasures in the Management of Computer Network Teaching in Colleges and Universities Based on the Era of New Media," In The International Conference on Cyber Security Intelligence and Analytics, March, 2021, pp. 66-73. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-70042-3_10

F. Mokhtari, "Fostering digital literacy in higher education: Benefits, challenges and implications," International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation, vol. 6, no. 10, pp. 160-167, 2023.

Y. K. Peker, L. Ray, S. Da Silva, N. Gibson, and C. Lamberson, "Raising cybersecurity awareness among college students," In Journal of The Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education, October, 2016, pp. 17-17.

H. Munasinghe, and K. Hewawasam, "Uniting Digital Disciplines: Bridging Literacy, Ethics, and Security Among University Students," In 2025 5th International Conference on Advanced Research in Computing (ICARC), February, 2025, pp. 1-6. doi: 10.1109/icarc64760.2025.10962887

J. Lourenço, J. C. Morais, S. Sá, N. Neves, F. Figueiredo, and M. C. Santos, "Cybersecurity concerns under COVID-19: representations on increasing digital literacy in higher education," In Perspectives and Trends in Education and Technology: Selected Papers from ICITED 2022, 2023, pp. 739-748. doi: 10.1007/978-981-19-6585-2_65

Downloads

Published

28 February 2026

Issue

Section

Article

How to Cite

Zhang, Y. (2026). Research on the Construction of Youth Network Literacy from the Perspective of Cyber Space Security. Education Insights, 3(2), 322-328. https://doi.org/10.70088/dexq7g51