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Volume 23
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10.3390/ijerph23010058
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Article

Ability to Detect Digital Risks: Effects of an Educational Intervention and Dementia Risk Level

by
Ricardo de Oliveira Ferreira
1,*,
Isabella Gomes de Oliveira Karnikowski
2,
Emmanuely Nunes Costa
3,
Aline Gomes de Oliveira
4,
Mariana Sodário Cruz
5,
Iolanda Bezerra dos Santos Brandão
6 and
Margô Gomes de Oliveira Karnikowski
1
1
PPGCTS: Graduate Program in Health Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technologies, University of Brasília–Ceilândia Campus, Brasília 72.220-260, DF, Brazil
2
Department of Economy, University of Porto, Porto 4200-375, Portugal
3
Program of Post-Graduation in Pharmaceutical Assistency, University of Brasília, Brasília 72.220-260, DF, Brazil
4
School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia 38410-337, MG, Brazil
5
Faculty of Health Sciences and Technologies, University of Brasília–Ceilândia Campus, Brasília 72.220-260, DF, Brazil
6
Euro-American University Center (Unieuro), Brasília 70200-001, DF, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(1), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010058
Submission received: 1 August 2025 / Revised: 10 September 2025 / Accepted: 12 September 2025 / Published: 31 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Topic Healthy, Safe and Active Aging, 2nd Edition)
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Abstract

Introduction: Several studies have been conducted in the field of education for older adults, with an emphasis on teaching and learning processes related to the use of digital technologies. Among the relevant aspects to be considered in this context is the cognitive vulnerability of this age group in terms of digital security. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between cognitive aspects of older adults and their ability to identify digital risks, before and after participating in an educational intervention, as well as the effect of the intervention on cognition in this age group. Methodology: Analyses were conducted according to the educational intervention and control groups, further stratified by digital risk (SJT) and dementia risk, according to the ACE-R test. The Mann–Whitney test was used to identify possible differences in the likelihood of falling for digital scams, considering the dimensions generated by the simulations (SJT). Results: Overall, the educational intervention was effective for the media education dimension (delta −0.5), regardless of dementia risk. More specifically, a particular effect was observed in the post-intervention stage. Conclusions: The educational intervention was able to promote cognitive gains and reduce digital risks among older adults, particularly in the identification of misinformation, underscoring the importance of continuous and adapted programs to promote digital security in this population.
Keywords: older adults; Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination; digital intervention older adults; Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination; digital intervention

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ferreira, R.d.O.; Karnikowski, I.G.d.O.; Costa, E.N.; Oliveira, A.G.d.; Cruz, M.S.; Brandão, I.B.d.S.; Karnikowski, M.G.d.O. Ability to Detect Digital Risks: Effects of an Educational Intervention and Dementia Risk Level. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23, 58. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010058

AMA Style

Ferreira RdO, Karnikowski IGdO, Costa EN, Oliveira AGd, Cruz MS, Brandão IBdS, Karnikowski MGdO. Ability to Detect Digital Risks: Effects of an Educational Intervention and Dementia Risk Level. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2026; 23(1):58. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010058

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ferreira, Ricardo de Oliveira, Isabella Gomes de Oliveira Karnikowski, Emmanuely Nunes Costa, Aline Gomes de Oliveira, Mariana Sodário Cruz, Iolanda Bezerra dos Santos Brandão, and Margô Gomes de Oliveira Karnikowski. 2026. "Ability to Detect Digital Risks: Effects of an Educational Intervention and Dementia Risk Level" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 23, no. 1: 58. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010058

APA Style

Ferreira, R. d. O., Karnikowski, I. G. d. O., Costa, E. N., Oliveira, A. G. d., Cruz, M. S., Brandão, I. B. d. S., & Karnikowski, M. G. d. O. (2026). Ability to Detect Digital Risks: Effects of an Educational Intervention and Dementia Risk Level. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1), 58. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010058

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