A Characterization of Digital Native Approaches To Mobile Privacy and Security

Till, Sarina and Densmore, Melissa (2019) A Characterization of Digital Native Approaches To Mobile Privacy and Security, Proceedings of SAICSIT 2019, 17-19 September 2019, Skukuza, South Africa, ACM.

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Abstract

Despite their familiarity with the digital, so-called 'digital natives' are not tech-savvy, particularly with respect to privacy and security. In this study we characterize this problem by looking at a cohort of South African students. We employ a web-based survey of 100 students, supplemented by in-depth interviews with 10 additional students. In both cases we inquired about, and observed knowledge of permissions, encryption and application installation practices. Our findings show that most students (80%) do not look for or understand permissions or encryption, and use location-based services unsafely. Based on these results we argue that digital natives lack the technical skills and understanding to properly engage with mobile privacy and security. We further argue that this generation has been so over-exposed to mobile requests that violate their privacy and security that they have become desensitized and their definition of privacy and security has changed. Lastly, we discuss the implications of our findings for higher education institutions, policy, and mobile application design.

Item Type: Conference paper
Additional Information: android, mobile security, mobile privacy, university students, South Africa
Subjects: Social and professional topics > Professional topics > Management of computing and information systems
Information systems
Date Deposited: 05 Sep 2019
Last Modified: 10 Oct 2019 15:31
URI: http://pubs.cs.uct.ac.za/id/eprint/1312

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