Digital Ethics Awareness among Korean High School Students: Implications for School Libraries in the Age of AI

Abstract

This study examines high school students’ digital ethics awareness in South Korea’s evolving educational environment and proposes roles for school libraries. The survey instrument consists of two sections: (1)background information and (2)measurement of digital ethics awareness. The background information includes demographic characteristics, experience with Information literacy instruction led by school librarians, and digital and AI use experience. Digital ethics awareness is assessed using 25 Likert–scale items across five domains derived from the learning outcomes of the textbook “Library and Information Life Curriculum”, developed by the Korean Library Association for information literacy education.

The five domains are: (1) Media Culture and Information Life, (2) Information Utilization and Information Seeking, (3) Reception and Critical Understanding of Media and Information, (4) Creative Information Expression and the Digital Environment, and (5)Collaboration and Participatory Community through Information.

To reflect the evolving AI environment, additional items are included to assess awareness of copyright in the digital environment, digital citizenship and social responsibility, and ethical issues related to AI. Data are collected from approximately 200 students from five selected high schools. The findings will provide evidence for guidelines positioning school libraries as digital ethics education hubs.

Keywords: Digital ethics, school libraries, information literacy