The Role of Parental Digital Awareness in Mitigating Information Disinformation and Enhancing Intellectual Security: A Perspective from a Sample of Omani Teachers

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the role of family digital awareness—across its organizational, technical, and legal dimensions—in mitigating Disinformation and enhancing intellectual security from the perspective of teachers in the Sultanate of Oman. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical approach, a 29-item questionnaire, based on a five-point Likert scale, was administered to a sample of 239 male and female teachers after ensuring its validity and reliability. The findings revealed that teachers possess high levels of family digital awareness, a significant perception of Disinformation risks, and a high level of intellectual security. Simple linear regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant positive impact of family digital awareness on mitigating Disinformation (explaining 20% of the variance) and enhancing intellectual security (explaining 29.1% of the variance). Multiple regression analysis further indicated that the "organizational dimension" was the strongest predictor for mitigating Disinformation, while the "organizational and legal dimensions" jointly predicted intellectual security. The study recommends adopting educational strategies that empower teachers with the organizational and legislative aspects of digital awareness as a gateway to bolstering intellectual immunity within the school community.