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Snakes and ladders for digital natives: information security education for the youth

Rayne Reid (Institute of ICT Advancement, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa)
Johan Van Niekerk (Institute of ICT Advancement, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa)

Information Management & Computer Security

ISSN: 0968-5227

Article publication date: 3 June 2014

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to educate the youth about information security. Cyber technologies and services are increasingly becoming integrated into individual’s daily lives. As such, individuals are constantly being exposed to the benefits and risks of these technologies. Cyber security knowledge and skills are becoming fundamental life skills for today’s users. This is particularly true for the current generation of digital natives.

Design/methodology/approach

Within the design science paradigm, several case studies are used to evaluate the research artefact.

Findings

The authors believe that the presented artefact could effectively convey basic information security concepts to the youth.

Research limitations/implications

This study had a number of limitations. First, all the learner groups who participated in this study were too small to enable analysis of findings for statistical significance. Second, the data compiled on the long-term effectiveness of the game for Group B was incomplete. This limitation was the result of School B’s ethical concerns regarding learners being a vulnerable target audience.

Originality/value

This paper presents and evaluates a brain-compatible, information security educational game that can be used to introduce information security concepts to the youth from a very young age.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Professor R. Von Solms is acknowledged for his game content contribution. The financial assistance by the Vodacom/NMMU scholarship towards this research is also hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the sponsors.

Citation

Reid, R. and Van Niekerk, J. (2014), "Snakes and ladders for digital natives: information security education for the youth", Information Management & Computer Security, Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 179-190. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMCS-09-2013-0063

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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