The Cyber Citizen Initiative focuses on addressing challenges by devising strategies to tackle the diverse cultural influences on attitudes and behavior, while also equipping individuals with essential skills to navigate the digital world securely, thereby strengthening cyber resilience.

An innovative online learning program launching in autumn 2024, the Cyber Citizen initiative introduces a European model for cybersecurity learning, which in turn will strengthen European cybersecurity and produce common practices.
Within this project, a European-wide online study program is being initiated through a dedicated cybersecurity learning portal during the autumn of 2024. Developed by Aalto University and Context Learning Finland, this interactive, "influencing-through-information" program applies a highly practical approach to online learning that fosters self-study capabilities, ensures effective knowledge acquisition, and imparts the application of skills and knowledge.

The Aalto University Department of Information and Communications Engineering provides subject matter expertise for the program, while Context Learning Finland, an online learning content solutions provider based in Helsinki, is responsible for learning design and technical development. The course content is being built using FLOWSPARKS learning content authoring tool.

The idea behind empowering citizens as key players in cybersecurity is based on findings of the research phase of the Cyber Citizen project, which revealed that citizens are a largely untapped resource in enhancing cybersecurity. The concept of citizens as cybersecurity producers stems from Finland's comprehensive security model, which emphasizes that all sectors of society share responsibility for maintaining security. However, to effectively contribute to cybersecurity, citizens need certain knowledge and attitudinal competencies, which this course aims to provide.

A key challenge of the course is the novelty of modern information influence, and helping citizens adapt to this information influence is a major goal. While information influence itself is not new, our digitized lifestyle has exposed us to it in unprecedented ways. This not only makes the topic timely and important, but also poses challenges for the creators of educational materials. Unlike more structured and technically defined subjects, the inherently sprawling nature of information influence makes it a more complex teaching area.

Currently, there are no established conventions for teaching about information influence, but ongoing developments worldwide are gradually establishing these norms - and this course is part of this foundational effort in a crucial area of civic skills. The need for such education is expected to grow as artificial intelligence increasingly shapes our information environment.

In the course’s design, a systematic learning design approach was applied to ensure the quality of learning interventions and outcomes. First, a needs assessment to identify specific learning goals and learner needs was conducted. Clear and measurable learning objectives were then defined, guiding the development of a course concept aligned with these objectives.

Engaging learning activities and effective instructional strategies were incorporated to promote active learning and knowledge application. This approach fosters quality assurance and continuous improvement in the design and delivery of learning experiences.

The comprehensive study module on information influence focuses on three main themes:

1. fundamentals of influencing through information (such as information influence and its concepts, the psychology of influence, the impact of emotions),
2. recognizing and techniques of influencing through information (such as source criticism, how information influence affects society, resilience), and
3. responding to influencing through information and future perspectives (such as applying learned skills, giving feedback, new technologies, for example, artificial intelligence).

By presenting realistic scenarios, incorporating game-like elements, reinforcing learning with quizzes, analyzing real-life case studies, utilizing multimedia presentations, and encouraging self-assessment, learners are actively engaged with the topic, critical thinking skills are developed, and knowledge is applied to real-world situations.

Increased learner engagement and motivation are facilitated, along with a deeper understanding of how information can be used to influence attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making processes. The specific challenges that this module addresses include meeting the needs of a highly diverse learner target group spanning all EU countries and covering all EU languages, and accommodation of varying learning preferences and levels of digital proficiency.

For citizens, improved competencies in dealing with information influence enhance their sense of security in the digital world. This is not merely about the ability to avoid scams or falsehoods but about ensuring the security and fluidity of an increasingly central aspect of life. Cybersecurity, which this course addresses in big picture, is as essential to overall safety as the security of our streets, workplaces, or food supply.