Online Safety Model for Young Learners: A Comprehensive Review of Participatory Design Strategies

Abstract

As young people increasingly engage in online activities, particularly for learning purposes, their practices are influenced by their circumstances and needs in the digital age. However, there is a broader concept encompassing the need for young people to develop novel skills to effectively and safely navigate the evolving digital media environment. In light of these challenges, this study is guided by two key research questions that is to what  extent are young learners safe online?, what technologies are available to ensure online safety?. The study holds significant importance in addressing the challenges faced by young learners in the increasingly digitalized world. The review concentrated on academic publications spanning from 2013 to 2020 and utilized various online databases such as ACM Digital Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, DARE, and popular databases like Gale. A number of key insights emerged from this study including risk does not necessarily lead to harm among the young people, however, more often than not, this is the case and young people are exposed to both risks as well as harm. Young people understand that engaging in online environments come with various responsibilities. Policy and practices that respond to online safety of young people ought to consider ways in which they can maximize the benefits. It is essential to protect young learners online and ensure that their safety is guaranteed. Even the best and widely used software should be secured and be made safe for young learners since they are the most vulnerable and targeted online. The study proposed the following recommendations: Understanding the target audience will help guide the design process. Engage with young learners throughout the design process to gather their input and feedback. Ensure that the online learning experience prioritizes privacy and security. Ensure online learning experience is accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities.