Cybersecurity Awareness and Practices Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Family Perspective

Reem Alshenaifi; Fahad Alodhyani

doi:10.5455/jeas.2025060103

Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences. 2026; 13(Recent Trends in Computational Modelling of Thermo-Fluid Systems and Nanofluid Applications): 24-32

doi: 10.5455/jeas.2025060103

Cybersecurity Awareness and Practices Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Family Perspective

Reem Alshenaifi, Fahad Alodhyani.

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Abstract
With the rapid digitalization of daily life, reliance on technology has become an essential part for family members, including children. As a result, children are increasingly exposed to different types of online risks, yet research on their cybersecurity awareness, particularly in Saudi Arabia, remains limited. Therefore, this study investigates cybersecurity awareness and online safety practices among Saudi children aged 9–17, alongside their parents’ perceptions and involvement. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 112 parents and their children, examining parental monitoring, digital literacy, children’s online behaviors, and exposure to online cyber risks. The findings of this study indicate that while most parents are highly educated, their engagement in children’s online safety is moderate, with limited use of monitoring tools. Children demonstrate basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts, particularly regarding passwords, yet they use unsafe practices, such as password reuse and infrequent account sign-out. Both parents and children report concerns about exposure to inappropriate content and cyberbullying, highlighting partial awareness of social threats. The study underscores the need for integrated, family-centered cybersecurity education programs, combining school-based initiatives with parental digital literacy training to foster safer online environments for children.

Key words: Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity awareness, children, parental involvement, online safety, Saudi Arabia.

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How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Alshenaifi R, Alodhyani F. Cybersecurity Awareness and Practices Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Family Perspective. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences. 2026; 13(Recent Trends in Computational Modelling of Thermo-Fluid Systems and Nanofluid Applications): 24-32. doi:10.5455/jeas.2025060103

Web Style

Alshenaifi R, Alodhyani F. Cybersecurity Awareness and Practices Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Family Perspective. https://jecasmu.org/?mno=311712 [Access: June 27, 2026]. doi:10.5455/jeas.2025060103

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alshenaifi R, Alodhyani F. Cybersecurity Awareness and Practices Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Family Perspective. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences. 2026; 13(Recent Trends in Computational Modelling of Thermo-Fluid Systems and Nanofluid Applications): 24-32. doi:10.5455/jeas.2025060103

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alshenaifi R, Alodhyani F. Cybersecurity Awareness and Practices Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Family Perspective. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences. (2026), [cited June 27, 2026]; 13(Recent Trends in Computational Modelling of Thermo-Fluid Systems and Nanofluid Applications): 24-32. doi:10.5455/jeas.2025060103

Harvard Style

Alshenaifi, R. & Alodhyani, . F. (2026) Cybersecurity Awareness and Practices Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Family Perspective. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 13 (Recent Trends in Computational Modelling of Thermo-Fluid Systems and Nanofluid Applications), 24-32. doi:10.5455/jeas.2025060103

Turabian Style

Alshenaifi, Reem, and Fahad Alodhyani. 2026. Cybersecurity Awareness and Practices Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Family Perspective. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 13 (Recent Trends in Computational Modelling of Thermo-Fluid Systems and Nanofluid Applications), 24-32. doi:10.5455/jeas.2025060103

Chicago Style

Alshenaifi, Reem, and Fahad Alodhyani. "Cybersecurity Awareness and Practices Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Family Perspective." Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 13 (2026), 24-32. doi:10.5455/jeas.2025060103

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alshenaifi, Reem, and Fahad Alodhyani. "Cybersecurity Awareness and Practices Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Family Perspective." Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 13.Recent Trends in Computational Modelling of Thermo-Fluid Systems and Nanofluid Applications (2026), 24-32. Print. doi:10.5455/jeas.2025060103

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alshenaifi, R. & Alodhyani, . F. (2026) Cybersecurity Awareness and Practices Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Family Perspective. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 13 (Recent Trends in Computational Modelling of Thermo-Fluid Systems and Nanofluid Applications), 24-32. doi:10.5455/jeas.2025060103