Date

5-14-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

As the use of the Internet and computers continues to increase, so does the prevalence of cybercrime. However, there is currently no global standard education curriculum guideline in place to prevent cybercrime or cybercrime victimization. The purpose of this study is to examine programs designed for students in grades K-12 that have already been implemented in communities across the country in order to determine the amount of information taught and to identify a global standard preventative program for all educational institutions. This project will be an exploratory study in which existing K-12 curriculum programs are reviewed qualitatively using a content analysis method based upon the theoretical framework of Choi’s Cyber-Routine Activities Theory (Cyber RAT) (Choi, 2008). The expected outcome of this research is to identify and create standards for an ideal cybersecurity educational program for students in grades K-12. This research is timely and imperative in the field of criminal justice because crimes are becoming increasingly prevalent in the cyber-world with very limited means available to control or prevent them. Findings in this study suggest that most programs teach students a sufficient amount of topics relating to computer hygiene, computer ethics, and technological skills. However, further research must be conducted to determine the quality of these programs in adequately informing students about topics involving cybersecurity and cybercrime.

Department

Criminal Justice

Thesis Comittee

Dr. Kyung-shick Choi, Thesis Advisor

Dr. Feodor Gostjev, Committee Member

Prof. Stephen Simms, Committee Member

Copyright and Permissions

Original document was submitted as an Honors Program requirement. Copyright is held by the author.

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