Hassan, Syahida and Ahmad, Rahayu and Abd Wahab, Alawiyah and Mohammed, Fathey and Purbasari, Ayi (2025) Parental Strategies for Mitigating Online Threats and Enhancing Children’s Cybersecurity Awareness. Journal of Information and Communication Technology (JICT), 24 (4). pp. 111-134. ISSN 1675-414X

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Abstract

The widespread adoption of digital technology has also resulted in a concerning trend: the rise in online threats targeted at children. As online threats to children continue to increase, parents need to take proactive steps to protect their children’s safety on the Internet. This research explores how parents respond to online threats affecting their children by examining their cyber-parenting approaches and coping strategies through Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). This research involved semi-structured interviews with nine parents whose children had experienced online threats. The study revealed that authoritative parenting, which balances autonomy with guidance, was the most adopted approach by parents. Conversely, parents with a high level of digital literacy tended towards an authoritarian style, characterised by rigorous monitoring of their adolescents' online activities. Following online threat incidents, parents adopted both problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping. These responses reflected varying degrees of threat appraisal and coping appraisal, consistent with PMT constructs. By identifying prevalent parenting styles and coping strategies, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how parental behaviours influence children’s online behaviours and resilience to cyber incidents. The study also found that effective parental mediation not only reduces children’s exposure to harm but also plays a critical role in fostering their cybersecurity awareness, empowering them to recognise risks, apply protective behaviours, and navigate digital environments with greater confidence. Such insights are critical for designing effective interventions and educational initiatives aimed at fostering safer digital practices among families, particularly in raising children’s awareness.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Children’s cybersecurity awareness, online threats, digital parenting approaches, cybersecurity awareness, information security.
Subjects:	L Education > L Education (General)
Divisions:	School of Education & Modern Languages
Depositing User:	Mdm. Rozana Zakaria
Date Deposited:	10 Nov 2026 06:30
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2026 06:30
URI:	https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/34482

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