THE IMPORTANCE OF DIGITAL EDUCATION IN PREVENTING CYBERCRIME

Abstract

This paper addresses the importance of digital education as a fundamental strategy in the prevention of cybercrime. The research, which is bibliographic and qualitative in nature, was developed based on the analysis of recent theoretical works on digital crime, profiles of cybercriminals, social impacts, and educational measures aimed at information security. The study shows that cybercrime has diversified and increased on a global scale, affecting everyone from ordinary users to large corporations, and is committed by agents with different profiles, such as hackers, crackers, carders, and cyberterrorists. Given this scenario, digital education stands out as a mechanism for empowering and protecting individuals and communities through the development of critical, ethical, and technical skills related to the safe use of technology. Digital literacy, starting in childhood, is essential for recognizing threats, preventing fraud, combating misinformation, and protecting personal data. The results indicate that a continuous and coordinated educational approach between schools, families, and public and private institutions can reduce vulnerabilities, raise awareness among users about their rights and duties in the digital environment, and promote a culture of cybersecurity. It is concluded that investing in digital education is investing in building a safer, more ethical, and more conscious society in the information age.