Examining the social validity of a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program in AI-Supported Education (CATP-AIsE) for gifted students

Halil Senturk

doi:10.17478/jegys.1989405

Examining the social validity of a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program in AI-Supported Education (CATP-AIsE) for gifted students

Abstract

Despite the rapid integration of AI-supported tools into special education settings, empirical evidence regarding cybersecurity awareness among gifted students remains extremely limited. This mixed-methods study examined whether AI-supported, scenario-based educational interventions could produce measurable improvements in the cybersecurity awareness of gifted students (N = 50, aged 11–14) enrolled in a Science and Art Center program in Türkiye. Quantitative data were collected using the Cybersecurity Awareness Scale administered before and after a four-week intervention, while qualitative data were obtained through scenario-based, AI-supported activities focusing on password security and phishing recognition. Paired-samples t-test results indicated statistically significant improvements across all five dimensions of cybersecurity awareness (p < .001), with a large overall effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.85). Qualitative thematic analysis revealed three key cognitive transformations: Learning Through Immediate Feedback, Systems Thinking, and Digital Skepticism. These findings suggest that AI-supported, scenario-based instruction may offer a promising mechanism for bridging the knowledge–behavior gap in gifted education and provide preliminary evidence for integrating cybersecurity awareness into specialized educational programs. Important methodological limitations, including the absence of a control group and issues related to multiple comparisons, are discussed.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in strict accordance with the ethical standards and guidelines of the Higher Education Institutions Scientific Research and Publication Ethics. The research protocol was officially reviewed and approved by the Atatürk University Institutional Ethics Committee for Educational Sciences (Social Sciences and Humanities Ethics Committee) at the meeting dated January 22, 2026 (Meeting No: 02, Decision No: 11). Informed consent was obtained from all participants and their legal guardians prior to data collection.

Thanks

I sincerely thank the administration and teachers of Ünye Science and Art Center (Ünye SAC) for their institutional support, productive educational environment, and hospitality, as well as all Ünye SAC students whose active participation, curiosity, and sincere contributions made this research possible.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Special Talented Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Halil Senturk ^*
0000-0002-8672-8048
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

September 27, 2026

Publication Date

September 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 7, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 24, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 14 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17478/jegys.1989405

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA43WA36DT

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Senturk, H. (2026). Examining the social validity of a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program in AI-Supported Education (CATP-AIsE) for gifted students. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists, 14(3), 133-148. https://doi.org/10.17478/jegys.1989405

AMA

1.Senturk H. Examining the social validity of a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program in AI-Supported Education (CATP-AIsE) for gifted students. JEGYS. 2026;14(3):133-148. doi:10.17478/jegys.1989405

Chicago

Senturk, Halil. 2026. “Examining the Social Validity of a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program in AI-Supported Education (CATP-AIsE) for Gifted Students”. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists 14 (3): 133-48. https://doi.org/10.17478/jegys.1989405.

EndNote

Senturk H (September 1, 2026) Examining the social validity of a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program in AI-Supported Education (CATP-AIsE) for gifted students. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists 14 3 133–148.

IEEE

[1]H. Senturk, “Examining the social validity of a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program in AI-Supported Education (CATP-AIsE) for gifted students”, JEGYS, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 133–148, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.17478/jegys.1989405.

ISNAD

Senturk, Halil. “Examining the Social Validity of a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program in AI-Supported Education (CATP-AIsE) for Gifted Students”. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists 14/3 (September 1, 2026): 133-148. https://doi.org/10.17478/jegys.1989405.

JAMA

1.Senturk H. Examining the social validity of a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program in AI-Supported Education (CATP-AIsE) for gifted students. JEGYS. 2026;14:133–148.

MLA

Senturk, Halil. “Examining the Social Validity of a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program in AI-Supported Education (CATP-AIsE) for Gifted Students”. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists, vol. 14, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 133-48, doi:10.17478/jegys.1989405.

Vancouver

1.Halil Senturk. Examining the social validity of a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program in AI-Supported Education (CATP-AIsE) for gifted students. JEGYS. 2026 Sep. 1;14(3):133-48. doi:10.17478/jegys.1989405