Digital Wellbeing in Cyber-space

COURSE SYLLABUS

Introduction to Digital Wellbeing and Cybersecurity: Explore the key definitions, domains, and interconnections between digital wellbeing and cybersecurity. Examine their growing significance in a hyperconnected world across individual, organizational, and societal contexts.
Cybersecurity Basics for Personal Protection: Gain foundational cybersecurity knowledge including password management, two-factor authentication (2FA), phishing recognition, and digital hygiene for everyday life.
Threats to Digital Wellbeing: Investigate threats such as cyberbullying, online harassment, and digital fatigue. Analyze how these affect mental and emotional wellbeing and learn preventative measures.
Social Wellbeing in Cyberspace: Examine how online harms—cyberbullying, phishing, social engineering—affect social and emotional health. Develop digital literacy and learn how to engage safely and positively in online communities.
Digital Addictions and Algorithmic Manipulation: Analyze the persuasive design features and algorithmic systems used by digital platforms. Explore how they influence user behavior, promote digital dependency, and raise ethical concerns.
Mental Health, Burnout, and the Always-On Culture: Explore the psychological effects of constant connectivity. Learn about technostress, burnout, and the mental health impact of digital overload, along with strategies for resilience and digital self-care.
Designing for Security and Wellbeing: Understand how human-centered UX/UI design can promote both secure systems and digital wellbeing. Examine real-world tech examples and design best practices.
Social Media, Misinformation, and Emotional Resilience: Evaluate the impact of disinformation, online toxicity, and algorithmic filter bubbles. Learn how to strengthen emotional resilience and critical engagement with digital content.
Human Factors in Cybersecurity: Examine the behavioral dimension of cyber risk. Learn how psychological factors, cognitive biases, and user error influence security, and explore tools like nudging and gamification.
Ethical Futures: AI, Surveillance, and the Human Mind: Discuss how AI and surveillance systems affect privacy, autonomy, and mental health. Debate ethical dilemmas related to digital manipulation and data governance.
Organizational Cybersecurity and Employee Wellbeing: Explore the impact of workplace cybersecurity policies on employee mental health and productivity. Study case examples of ethical and balanced approaches to digital safety.
Personal Digital Wellbeing Strategy and Reflection: Reflect on course learnings and develop a personal digital wellbeing and cybersecurity action plan. Discuss future implications and how to implement sustainable digital habits.
Intervention Design Workshop: Apply course concepts by collaboratively designing a practical intervention that integrates cybersecurity and digital wellbeing principles. Peer review and feedback session included.

The Master of Science Programme in "Advanced Cybersecurity Technologies and Governance" was established as part of the European EU-iNSPIRE project (INnovative multi-diSciPlinary Industry-focused cybersecurity education for upskilling and ReskIlling the EU workforcE), which began in January 2025, has a duration of four (4) years and is co-funded by the European Union through the DIGITAL-2023-SKILLS-05 program (Contract No. 101190054).