doi: 10.18178/ijiet.2026.16.8.2669
Responsible AI Integration in Cyber Education: A Model for K-9 to K-12 Instruction
Md Al Samiul Amin Rishat1,*
,
Gahangir Hossain2 ,
M A Shariful Amin3 ,
Pretom Roy Ovi2
- 1Department of Information Science Concentration in Data Science, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
- 2Department of Data Science, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
- 3Department of Marketing and Computer Information Systems, Tarleton State University, Texas, USA
- Manuscript receivedDecember 26, 2025
- revisedFebruary 12, 2026
- acceptedApril 14, 2026
- publishedAugust 12, 2026
Abstract
The rapid expansion of technology-driven education has increased teenagers’ exposure to cyber threats, emphasizing the need for timely and developmentally appropriate cyber awareness programs across K-9 to K-12 settings. Although adolescents demonstrate confidence in using digital devices, many lack the critical skills required to recognize and evaluate online risks, leaving them vulnerable to disinformation, cyberbullying, and harmful digital behaviors. This study proposes a structured model for integrating ChatGPT into cyber awareness education using a conceptual mixed-methods approach informed by Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) and Fishbone analyses. The model leverages ChatGPT’s interactive capabilities to support just-in-time learning while addressing concerns related to ethical use, misinformation, and regulatory compliance. Insights from K-9 to K-12 students’ considerations and expert consultation informed the development of the proposed governance framework for responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption and dynamic content verification. The study suggests that ChatGPT-enhanced interventions have the potential to support increased student engagement, enhance inclusivity, and contribute to strengthening K-9 to K-12 students’ resilience to online threats, provided that they are integrated responsibly with appropriate supervision. When used responsibly under appropriate supervision, ChatGPT may serve as an effective complement to traditional cyber-safety curricula by promoting critical thinking about online interactions and encouraging proactive digital defense behaviors. However, the study is limited to theoretical models and stakeholder perceptions, without direct implementation in real classroom environments. Future research should prioritize longitudinal investigations in authentic, technology-enhanced instructional settings to evaluate long-term learning outcomes, ethical considerations, and policy implications of AI-supported cyber awareness programs.
Keywords
- adolescent cyber awareness education; ChatGPT integration; conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI) in K-12; ethical AI governance; Strengths
- Weakness
- Opportunities
- Threats (SWOT) and fishbone analysis
How to Cite
Md Al Samiul Amin Rishat, Gahangir Hossain, M A Shariful Amin, and Pretom Roy Ovi, "Responsible AI Integration in Cyber Education: A Model for K-9 to K-12 Instruction," International Journal of Information and Education Technology, vol. 16, no. 8, pp. 2091-2106, 2026. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2026.16.8.2669
Copyright & License
Copyright © 2026 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).