Cybersecurity and digital citizenship: challenges in educating adolescents in Ecuador

Abstract

The research analyzed the main challenges faced by Ecuadorian educational institutions in training adolescents in cybersecurity and digital citizenship. The study was based on the observation that the intensive use of information technologies by young people had transformed educational, social, and communication dynamics, generating new opportunities but also risks associated with privacy, online harassment, misinformation, and vulnerability to cybercrime. It was found that, in recent years, Ecuadorian adolescents have significantly increased their presence in digital environments, mainly through social networks and virtual educational platforms. However, most of them lacked adequate training on the safe, responsible, and ethical use of technologies. The results revealed that most educational institutions prioritized technical instruction on the use of devices, but did not develop systematic digital literacy programs that promoted values of respect, safety, and coexistence in the virtual environment. The study highlighted the limited training of teachers in cybersecurity issues, which hindered the implementation of effective preventive and pedagogical strategies. It was concluded that digital citizenship training should be integrated across the educational curriculum, involving teachers, families, and authorities. In this way, the aim was to strengthen critical awareness and digital responsibility among adolescents, contributing to the development of a safe and inclusive cyber culture in Ecuador.