A new scientific study by Egyptian writer, media professional, and digital media and mass communication researcher Germine Amer examines the relationship between social media use and the growing cybersecurity risks facing Generation Alpha.
The study, titled “The Effect of Social Media on the Rise of Cybersecurity Crimes among Generation Alpha,” was published in the August 2026 issue of the Journal of Intelligent Decision Making and Information Science (JIDMIS), a journal focusing on technology, artificial intelligence, decision-making, data management and analysis, and information science.
The research addresses growing global concerns over the risks children face in digital environments, particularly Generation Alpha, amid gaps in parental supervision, institutional oversight, and digital safety awareness.
Generation Alpha is widely described as the first generation to grow up entirely within a digital environment. The study examines several risks associated with their online activity, including cyberbullying, online harassment, phishing attempts, identity theft, and exposure to age-inappropriate content.
The research also highlights the importance of digital awareness and cybersecurity education, alongside the roles of parents, educational institutions, regulators, digital platforms, and policymakers in reducing children’s exposure to online threats.
According to the study, having strong digital skills does not necessarily mean that children have sufficient awareness of cybersecurity risks. Greater technical proficiency can encourage children to explore and interact more extensively online, potentially increasing their exposure to unsafe content and digital threats.
The study therefore emphasizes the importance of expanding the concept of digital empowerment for children. This includes equipping them with the knowledge and practical skills needed to identify online risks, protect their personal data, respond to harassment or fraud attempts, and report dangerous content or behavior.
It also calls on digital platforms and policymakers to strengthen children’s privacy and safety through secure-by-design features in applications and digital services.
Commenting on the publication of the study, Germine Amer said the research represents a new milestone in her academic work on digital media and the impact of technology and social media on society.
She noted that her research also explores the relationship between digital communication mechanisms and cybersecurity and their broader impact on individuals.
Amer stressed that Generation Alpha is among the age groups most in need of digital awareness and literacy, enabling children to develop the knowledge and practical skills required to navigate the technological environment safely as digital citizens.
She also called for further research tracking the evolution of digital risks throughout different stages of childhood development, as well as research into differences among digital platforms in their approaches to protecting children.
The study further recommends examining the experiences of children, parents, and teachers across different societies to provide policymakers with evidence that can support effective policies and legislation and help create a safer digital environment.
About Scopus
Scopus is one of the major global databases used for scientific and academic research. Indexing in Scopus is considered an important academic asset for researchers and institutions, particularly in contemporary fields such as cybersecurity, digital media, artificial intelligence, and the behavior of younger generations in digital environments.
About the Journal of Intelligent Decision Making and Information Science
The Journal of Intelligent Decision Making and Information Science (JIDMIS) focuses on decision-making processes and information management, including data analysis, artificial intelligence and its applications, information systems, and intelligent systems design.
The journal publishes research and studies aimed at developing methodologies and applications that contribute to improving decision-making processes.
