Digital Wellness of Preschool Children: The Story of Cyber-cat and the Consequences of Hacking

In the modern world, there has been a significant increase in digital usage leading to heightened concerns about digital safety, particularly for children since they lack the necessary knowledge to protect themselves. More than 95% of South African children have access to cyberspace, indicating that they are driving digital uptake, which implies that they are more exposed to online risks. Introducing children to the notion of being digitally safe in cyberspace can have tremendous benefits, as childhood experiences profoundly impact their overall growth. Children learn by playing, discovering, and posing questions to overcome any obstacles that arise. Therefore incorporating elements of both enjoyment and seriousness into a game to spread cybersecurity awareness engagingly and enjoyably would be highly effective. The aim of this paper is to report on a study where a game was developed to raise awareness of dangers and consequences of hacking among preschool children. The intent is that the game be played under the supervision of a parent or caregiver. The game was evaluated by reviewers to determine its suitability and shortcomings. From this evaluation, future improvements to the game were identified.