Examination of the relationship between university students' digital literacy levels and their cyber security provision levels

Today, the widespread use of digital technologies has led to the emergence of some problems while providing convenience in all areas of life. News such as stolen passwords and accounts on the internet and fraud are increasing day by day. In this context, in this digitalization process, knowledge and skills such as ensuring security and using technology correctly have come into play and digital literacy has become one of the 21st century skills. In other words, in this period called the digital age, individuals' digital literacy levels and cyber security awareness have become an important issue. From this point of view, the current study aims to understand the relationship between university students' digital literacy levels and their level of cyber security. In the study, quantitative research method relational survey design was used. The research sample consists of 308 undergraduate students studying at state universities in Niğde and its neighboring provinces (Adana, Kayseri, Mersin) in the 2023-2024 academic year. The data were collected by applying to students who volunteered to participate in the study. Data were collected through a personal information form to learn the demographic characteristics of the participants, the Digital Literacy Scale and the Personal Cyber Security Ensuring Scale. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software; Kruskal-Wallis H test and independent sample t-test.