Exploring the Relationship Between Digital Engagement and Cybersecurity Practices Among College Students: A Survey Study

This research rigorously investigates the intricate relationship between college students’ digital engagement and their adherence to cybersecurity practices. Against the backdrop of technology’s ubiquitous integration into our lives, college students are progressively relying on digital platforms for communication, social interaction, and education. However, this transition simultaneously exposes them to an array of cyber threats, encompassing identity theft, data breaches, and malware intrusions. Employing a comprehensive survey questionnaire, this study methodically extracts insights from a representative college student sample. By disentangling the dimensions of their digital engagement—marked by the frequency of social media interaction, involvement in online gaming, and utilization of mobile devices—the research illuminates their corresponding dedication to cybersecurity practices. These practices encompass the pivotal domains of password management, the adoption of antivirus software, and the cultivation of vigilant awareness towards phishing threats. The core of the analysis lies in employing regression analysis in Excel to unveil a trove of findings. The exploration of college students’ digital engagement patterns and their ensuing cybersecurity behaviors yields a nexus of multifaceted relationships. These intricate interconnections, in turn, offer a compelling foundation for informed implications. The discerned associations between digital engagement and cybersecurity practices furnish invaluable insights, charting a course for tailored educational strategies and astute awareness campaigns. The intrinsic aim of these interventions is to foster a climate of safer online conduct, thus equipping college students with the skills to navigate the digital realm responsibly.