Mobile security awareness of university students in Hong Kong: demographics and education
ISSN: 0040-0912
Article publication date: 10 December 2024
Issue publication date: 29 January 2025
Abstract
Purpose
This research investigates mobile security awareness among university students in Hong Kong, who increasingly rely on mobile devices for their daily activities and academic needs. This research seeks to inform targeted educational strategies and policies to enhance mobile security practices among young adults, particularly in regions similar to Hong Kong, where mobile usage is extensively integrated into everyday life.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing an online survey, this research assessed the mobile security awareness of 407 university students from Hong Kong. The Mann-Whitney U-test and other statistical methods were employed to analyze differences in security awareness based on demographic factors such as IT background, gender, educational level and participation in mobile security courses.
Findings
The research revealed a generally high level of mobile security awareness compared to similar research in other regions. It also highlighted that despite no significant difference in awareness between genders, students from IT-related fields or those who participated in mobile security courses exhibit higher awareness levels. These findings underscore the impact of focused education and training on enhancing mobile security awareness.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the limited but growing body of literature on mobile security awareness from the end-user perspective, particularly among university students in the Asia Pacific region. It offers valuable insights for governments, educators and corporate policymakers worldwide, providing a basis for integrating mobile security education into broader academic and professional training programs.
Keywords
Citation
Li, K.H., Chiu, D.K.W., Kong, E.W.S. and Ho, K.K.W. (2025), "Mobile security awareness of university students in Hong Kong: demographics and education", Education + Training, Vol. 67 No. 1, pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-04-2023-0128
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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