Digital Engagement and Cyber Literacy among University Students in Southern Rajasthan

Abstract

This study investigates the patterns of digital engagement and the level of cyber literacy among university students in Southern Rajasthan, focusing on two public institutions: Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU) and Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT). Using a stratified random sampling method, 150 students were surveyed through a structured questionnaire. The findings reveal high levels of daily social networking site (SNS) usage, primarily for communication, entertainment, and academic purposes. However, awareness of essential cyber safety practices-such as privacy management, password security, and cybercrime reporting was found to be limited. Notably, 18% of respondents reported no familiarity with basic cyber concepts, and 59.33% were unaware of official reporting mechanisms for cyber incidents. Despite these gaps, 84% of students expressed strong support for integrating cyber safety education into university curricula. The study underscores the urgent need for structured digital literacy programs, especially in underrepresented regions. These findings have broader implications for national initiatives like the Digital India Mission and the National Cyber Security Policy, which emphasize digital inclusion, education, and resilience. Enhancing students' cyber competence is vital not only for academic development but also for fostering responsible digital citizenship in India's evolving digital landscape.