Digital Literacy and Scam Susceptibility Among Youth: The Mediating Roles of Risk Awareness and Digital Responsibility

Kamaruzzaman Abdul Manan, Miharaini Md Ghani, Ismail Sheikh Yusuf Ahmed, Siti Nor Amalina Ahmad Tajuddin

Abstract


The rapid expansion of digital platforms has significantly increased youths’ exposure to online scams, rendering digital protection competencies a critical area of inquiry. Despite growing scholarly attention to cybercrime victimisation, limited research has examined how digital literacy shapes individuals’ vulnerability to online scams through cognitive and behavioural mechanisms. Grounded in Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), this study investigates the relationship between digital literacy and scam susceptibility among Malaysian youth, with online risk awareness and perceived digital responsibility serving as mediating variables. A quantitative survey was administered to 383 youth respondents with active digital engagement. Data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS. The measurement model demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity, whilst the structural model revealed that digital literacy dimensions particularly critical evaluation that significantly enhance online risk awareness and perceived digital responsibility. Both mediators were found to significantly reduce scam susceptibility, confirming their protective role in digital environments. Mediation analysis further indicated that risk awareness and digital responsibility partially mediate the relationship between digital literacy and scam susceptibility, underscoring the importance of cognitive and normative protective mechanisms. The findings contribute to communication and cyber-safety scholarship by extending PMT to the context of youth digital behaviour in Malaysia. Practically, the study emphasises the need for digital literacy education programmes that cultivate risk awareness and responsible online conduct, which can ultimately reduce youth vulnerability to online scams.

 

Keywords: Digital literacy, online scam susceptibility, risk awareness, digital responsibility, protection motivation theory.

 

https://doi.org/10.17576/JKMJC-2026-4202-27


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References


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